A DECADE OF PHYTOPLASMA RESEARCH: STOLBUR IDENTIFICATION IN MOLDOVAN TOMATO VARIETIES
Aighiuni BAHSIEV*, Irina ZAMORZAEVA
Abstract
Tomato crop in Moldova is threatened by ˈCandidatus Phytoplasma solaniˈ, a phloem-limited pathogen transmitted by insect vectors. Local tomato varieties were screened by nested-PCR during ten years (2016–2024). Results showed clear variety-dependent susceptibility. Variety Cerasus displayed stable partial resistance (<35% of infected plants). Elvira and Desteptarea were highly vulnerable (50–85%) while Mary Gratefully showed variable incidence (33–92%) influenced by climate conditions of the year. The summarized infection data fluctuated widely between years from epidemic levels (83% in 2016, 72% in 2023) to minimal incidence (10% in 2020). Sequencing of isolates confirmed the persistence of identical strains of phytoplasma over the growing seasons (2018–2020). Ten-year study provides a comprehensive overview of epidemiological situation of ˈCa. P. solaniˈ in the Republic of Moldova and offers valuable information for tomato breeders as well serving a basis for disease control strategies.