The Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus in Washington

The Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV) is a Topoviruse from the Bunyaviridae family, which affects many vegetable and tobacco plants. Once the host is infected with TSWV, shelf life shortens, nutrition properties decrease and yield production reduces. Symptoms of the TSWV are chlorotic or necrotic rings and some discoloration of the infected host may occur. Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus (INSV) and Pepino Mosaic Viruse (PepMV) are from the same family and have very similar symptoms as the TSWV. That is why symptoms alone cannot diagnose either virus. The purpose of the research was to find tomatoes from local stores that were infected with TSWV and investigate their origin. Samples were collected in various stores throughout the lower valley in Yakima Washington. In order to test for the presences of TSWV in tomatoes we used reversed transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Amino strips were used to test for the presences of INSV and PepMV. Amino strips   are antibodies that react as the key and lock when the virus is present. This was carried out to check for any cross-infection with TSWV and the previous mentioned viruses. The results showed that the majority of the tomatoes with TSWV were imported from Mexico and California.  Future directions for this research, is to expand the DNA sequence with the RT-PCR and examine it if the virus has evolved.