For the first time, scientists at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) have examined the molecular genetics of tomato plants’ defence mechanisms against a destructive “young” Southern African virus.
The well-known tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) is known to be resistant to individuals who carry the Ty-1 gene. When tomato plants carrying the Ty-1 gene are infected with the virtually unheard-of tomato curly stunt virus (ToCSV), UJ researchers looked into what happens. They discovered a connection between Ty-1 gene activity, viral DNA methylation, and ToCSV tolerance in plants. The research is published in Frontiers in Plant Science.
To find out more about how that happens, they used lab techniques called bisulfite conversion and PCR amplification, coupled with a next-generation whole genome virus sequencing approach.
Young virus travelling: Many pathogens attack tomato plants, which produce the third biggest vegetable crop in the world, after potatoes and cassava. (ANI)
