STUDIES ON TOMATO MOSAIC IN PUERTO RICO A NEW MOSAIC DISEASE OF TOMATO

Abstract

The present studies demonstrate the presence of the pepper virus (Roque and Adsuar) (6) in tomato plants affected with mosaic. The virus causes a characteristic faint, yellowish mottling and downward puckering of tomato leaves. This has been repeatedly verified by inoculating tomato plants with (1) pepper virus obtained from tomato mosaic affected plants, (2) tomato mosaic virus passed through tobacco and N. glutinosa and (3) with pure cultures of the pepper virus thru commercial peppers. The identity of the virus has been substantiated in all cases by the severe veinnecrosis reaction it produces in the Large Bell Hot pepper variety.