AgriLife Research develops nation’s first tomato spotted wilt virus clone
Breakthrough gives researchers a powerful tool to speed development of virus-resistant peppers
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New technology from Texas A&M AgriLife Research could be a major step to bring disease-resistant peppers and tomatoes to grower fields, and lower costs to grocery stores.
A research team led by Jeanmarie Verchot, PhD., professor in the Texas A&M Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, developed the nation’s first infectious clone of the tomato spotted wilt virus, TSWV, paving the way for plant scientists to more efficiently research disease-resistant genetics in tomatoes, peppers and other susceptible crops.
In the scientific paper, “A Novel Approach to Engineering Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus Infectious Clones by Disarming Key Nodes in Anti-Viral Defenses,” recently published in Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions by the American Phytopathological Society, the researchers revealed the discovery that U.S. scientists have sought for decades.
With this development, Verchot and her team can now produce an unlimited amount of virus, more efficiently inoculate trial plants, and help pepper breeders move much faster in identifying superior, virus-resistant genetics.
“Crop producers are very familiar with this virus, and we are excited that this discovery opens the door for impactful solutions to a major production challenge for them,” Verchot said. “By making technology tools that breeders can use to speed new variety development, we hope to see a simple ripple-effect where peppers, tomatoes and other produce are more abundant and cost less in grocery stores nationally.”
Understanding TSWV
Globally detrimental to crops, TSWV is transmitted by insects called thrips, which spread across fields and migrate into growing areas by floating in regional wind systems. Verchot said the virus negatively impacts more than 1,000 produce and ornamental plant varieties.
Infected plants have reduced yields and damages can make crops unmarketable and decrease grower income. Limited produce and higher input costs ultimately mean higher prices for the end consumer.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Avoidance and Mitigation Program estimates TSWV causes $100 million in crop damage each year in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina alone.
“By making technology tools that breeders can use to speed new variety development, we hope to see a simple ripple-effect where peppers, tomatoes and other produce are more abundant and cost less in grocery stores nationally.”
Jeanmarie Verchot, Ph.D.
Texas A&M AgriLife Research
Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology
Until recently, growers have depended on varieties that are resistant to TSWV infection, but new strains are emerging that escape host immunity and are causing widespread disease. New efforts have focused on sequencing the virus genomes of these emerging strains to understand how they are becoming more severe.
Verchot and her team have taken a different approach in research to construct DNA, or cDNA, and copy of the full genome of a pepper-infecting TSWV isolate. This full-length DNA clone produces infectious virus that behaves like the original virus.
Having a readily available U.S. clone is critical for efforts to dissect the causes of disease severity and insect transmission and is a tool that breeders can use to develop new resistant varieties.
“Through our research, we can now produce an unlimited amount of virus, more efficiently inoculate trial plants and help pepper breeders move much faster in identifying superior, virus-resistant genetics,” Verchot said.
From research revelation to nationwide collaboration
Researchers across the nation have individually worked toward TSWV solutions, but due to the high rate of virus mutation, scientists have been working from different strains.
“This clone allows all U.S. researchers the same starting point, providing a more efficient tool for identifying the virus in crops and for creating disease management practices,” said Haden Ball, Verchot’s graduate student who joined the project as his thesis work.
This breakthrough will impact scientists across multiple disciplines. One of those researchers is Kevin Crosby, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Research vegetable breeder, professor and associate department head for graduate programs in the Texas A&M Department of Horticultural Sciences.
Working together, Verchot, Ball, Crosby and other collaborators aim to provide crop producers with superior, disease-resistant peppers, and for researchers to follow with additional resistant crop plants as research progresses. Verchot said the technology is available for licensing by seed companies, biotech firms and other related industry stakeholders.
“We can now pass this technology to plant breeders to create resistant varieties and entomologists to study methods to restrict thrips transmission,” Ball said. “Ultimately, we want this discovery to benefit growers and consumers.”
