Investigation of Begomovirus Infections in Greenhouse Tomato Production Areas in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

Begomoviruses are the most numerous group of viruses infecting economically important plants. Begomoviruses have a wide host range, high recombination ability, effective transmission by its vector and synergistic interaction with different viruses in the host plant, so they have a high risk of spreading to large areas in a short time and causing epidemics. In this study, the aim was to investigate the presence of begomoviruses, which are among the major threats to tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivation. The surveys were conducted in the provinces of Adana and Kahramanmaraş, Turkey, where a total of 160 leaf samples were collected from tomato plants exhibiting yellowing, curling, and plant stunting in commercial greenhouses. Total DNAs obtained from the collected leaf samples were tested using multiplex PCR. As a result of the analysis, 10 samples were infected only with TYLCSV-Sic, while 16 were co-infected with TYLCSV-Sic and TYLCV-IL. Additionally, 22 of the samples were co-infected with TYLCV-IL and TYLCV-Mld. Furthermore, PCR testing for the presence of ToLCNDV was conducted, but none of the samples were found to be infected.