Studies on weed reservoirs of tomato leaf curl virus (TLCV) in Eastern U.P., (India), and it’s role in epidemiology of disease

Tomato is very important fruit vegetable grown in tarai region of Uttar Pradesh. The crop suffers a great loss due to infection of a whitefly borne virus tomato leaf curl. The present investigation deals with the role of weed reservoirs harbouring the virus inside the crop, nearby the crops and adjacent areas. TCLV has a very wide host range and the vector whitefly Bemisia tabaci Genn. can multiply on wide variety of host therefore, some of the host plants harbouring both virus and vectors were recorded. A total 38 plants including weeds, ornamental and cultivated plants were surveyed. Some of them were perennials and including plants grown as food, fodder and vegetables and were permanent source of inoculum of TLCV in nature having a potential role in the epidemiology of the disease. Influence of the climatic conditions and cultural practices were observed on the level of infection.