Evaluation of Selected Tomato Cultivars Effectiveness Against Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV) and Its PCR-Based Molecular Detection

Viral diseases are the primary impediment to tomato cultivation. One of the most destructive viral diseases is Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) transmitted by the insect vector whitefly. A research study was undertaken utilizing RCBD design to evaluate the varietal performance of tomato against TYLCV at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka. Genomic DNA extraction and PCR tests were executed in laboratory conditions to detect TYLCV. In this study, ten tomato cultivars namely BARI Tomato-5, BARI Tomato-8, BARI Tomato-9, BARI Tomato-11, BARI Tomato-14, BARI Tomato-15, BARI Tomato-16, BARI Tomato-17, BARI Tomato-18 and BARI Tomato-19 were selected to carry out the research. Among the cultivars, BARI Tomato-5 showed the lowest disease incidence (19%), disease severity (29.5%) and whitefly association (16.5) preceded by BARI Tomato-18 and BARI Tomato-19 at 60 DAT. Whereas, BARI Tomato-16 showed the maximum disease incidence (91%), disease severity (59%), and whitefly association (52) at 60 DAT. In case of morphological parameters, the maximum number of leaves (68.2), branches (10.34), flowers (182.76) were found in BARI Tomato-5 and the minimal quantity of leaves (44.68), branches (4.43), flowers (44.93) were found in BARI Tomato-16. In case of yield and yield contributing parameters, the maximum number of fruit diameter (6.66 cm), individual fruit weight (181.30 g), yield (4.10 kg) was found in BARI Tomato-5 and the minimal quantity of fruits (2.08 cm), individual fruit weight (37.13 g), yield (1.05 kg) was found in BARI Tomato-16. From the molecular study, seven highly susceptible varieties viz. BARI Tomato-8, BARI Tomato-9, BARI Tomato-11, BARI Tomato-14, BARI Tomato-15, BARI Tomato-16, BARI Tomato-17 were given positive results in the PCR test and showed the sharp band at 520 bp fragment. However, considering the field performance and molecular detection, it may be concluded that among the tested cultivars, BARI Tomato-5, BARI Tomato-18, and BARI Tomato-19 can be used as a resistant or moderately resistant cultivars against TYLCV.