The Anatomic responses of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. due to the Tomato Leaf Curl Virus (TLCV)

Abstract

An anatomical study of tomato plants infected by tomato leaf curl virus was conducted to elucidate the mode of infection of the causal virus. One to two months after whitefly transmission, the severe symptoms appear with thickening of the veins, curling of leaf and stunting of plant. Typically reorganization of leaf tissue consisted in replacement of the spongy parenchyma by a palisade parenchyma. Palisade parenchyma tissues were compact in comparison to healthy. Abnormal cambial activity was observed in conducting tissue. Weaker selerenchyma rings were narrow and these were fewer narrow xylem vessels. Phloem necrosis was observed frequently in virus infected stem. Bronzing & discoloration sieve elements in phloem were also found in infected stem. The cortical parenchyma was wider and formation of mechanical and conducting tissues was reduced. In root of infected plant secondary thickening was less in comparison to healthy. Xylem vessels were narrow and with scanty phloem in diseased root. The no. of stomata was also reduced in infected leaves.

Keywords

• Anatomical changes
• Tomato
• TLCV
• Stomatal index