Different Methods for Detection and Diagnosis of Tomato Spotted Wilt Tospovirus Infection of some Cucurbit Host Plants and its Main Vector of Thrips Species in Field and Greenhouse in Egypt

The study recorded for the first time in Egypt the presence of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) on cucurbits, which was confirmed using several serological tests, like double antibody sandwich ELISA (DAS-ELISA); Dot-blot ELISA assay and Immuno capture polymerase chain reaction (IC-PCR). By using Dot blot immunoassay test reaction against TSWV antisera, the ability of thrips species Thrips tabaci (Lind), Thrips palmi (Karny), and Frankliniella occidentalis (​Pergande), on the transmission of the (TSWV) were asserted. In the greenhouse, eleven plant species were determined as the host range of virus and field samples showed the similar symptoms. The mechanical transmission of TSWV showed a positive reaction bearing symptoms on the leaves of Cucumber, zucchini, smoke, datura and tomato plants 15-20 days after inoculation with transmission rates of 46.5, 40, 46.5, 46.5 and 86.5%, respectively. DAS-ELISA using antisera of TSWV showed that the greenhouse leaves samples were infected; otherwise, an amplification of IC-PCR products of 500 bp was detected by agarose electrophoresis of total RNA isolated from infected leaves.