Incidence and distribution of tomato mosaic virus infecting irrigated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in some parts of Sudan Savanna, Nigeria

Abstract

A survey was conducted to investigate the incidence and distribution of Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) infecting irrigated tomato  (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in Kano, Gombe and Jigawa States during the 2017 and 2018 dry cropping seasons. Three farms each from three major tomato- producing local government areas (LGAs) of each State were selected. Forty symptomatic and asymptomatic leaf samples per farm (n=2160) were collected in five quadrants measuring 4 x 4 m and assayed against ToMV, using double antibody  sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA). The results showed that ToMV occurred in all the states surveyed but with significant (P < .05) variation in distribution. In Gombe State, there was no significant difference amongst the surveyed LGAs: Akko (15.0
%), Kaltungo (14.1 %) and Yamaltu Deba (14.0 %)) on ToMV incidence. In Kano State, ToMV incidence was higher in Kura LGA (10.2%) though comparable with incidence recorded at Bagwai (9.8%). Hadejia LGA significantly had the highest ToMV incidence (24.4 %) in Jigawa State. ToMV was significantly more preponderant in Jigawa State (20.1 %), followed by Gombe (14.4 %) while Kano had the least virus incidence (9.0 %). Within the bounds of the current available information, this is the first report of ToMV in these states. It is hoped that this finding will help in creating awareness on the prevalence of ToMV and the need to improve the quality of tomato seed certification and cultural practices for the management this virus disease.

Keywords: DAS-ELISA, incidence, Sudan savanna, tomato, Tomato mosaic virus.