The threat of insect-transmitted viruses to vegetable production
2000
Hanafi, A. ((Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan 2, Agadir (Maroc). Complexe Horticole d'Agadir, Département de Protection des Plantes, Unité de Production et Protection Intégrées))
The vast movement of people and agricultural products between Morocco and distant geographical regions has created unprecedented opportunities for introducing plant viruses and the insects that carry them (vectors) to new areas. To illustrate these points we report two recent introductions of viruses that are threatening vegetable production in Morocco. A devastating plant virus, tomato yellow leaf curl geminivirus was introduced to Morocco. The strain of the insect (Bemisia tabaci) that transmits was confirmed to be also present in Morocco. Many farmers had to destroy completely their tomato crops in open fields or in greenhouses when virus incidence had reached high levels. Exact estimates are not available, but no doubt that direct and indirect damage of TYLCV will cost the Moroccan tomato industry millions of dollars. Small farmers who depended on tomato production for much of their living are devastated and some tomato production areas mainly open field tomatoes became economically depressed. The unprecedented movement of agricultural products and propagates (such as seeds, bulbs, tubers and transplants) in late of the twenty century, provides tremendous opportunities for plant viruses and the insects that spread them (vectors) to move between widely separated geographic regions. Clearly, an awareness of these threats and the actions needed to avoid introducing these exotic pests is critical to all involved in horticulture. Morocco must adapt its regulations, human and material resources, to the increasing exchange of horticultural products in order to protect its horticulture
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