Diagnostics of Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) and Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) in tomato and pepper samples from selected regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51452/eaj.2026.3(131).2268Keywords:
tomato; quarantine pests; Pepino mosaic virus; Tomato brown rugose fruit virus; RT-PCR; ICA.Abstract
Background and Aim. This article is devoted to the diagnostics of tomato viruses – Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) and Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) – dangerous quarantine pathogens that are relatively recent targets of phytosanitary monitoring in the Republic of Kazakhstan and pose a serious threat to tomato cultivation in greenhouses and open fields.
Materials and Methods. A total of 122 plant samples from various regions of Kazakhstan (Turkestan, Almaty, and Akmola regions) were tested by RT-PCR. ToBRFV was detected in 14% of the samples, while PepMV was detected in 7%. For ToBRFV, the ICA results were consistent with the RT-PCR results for all 11 positive samples, whereas for PepMV only one of three RT-PCR-positive samples was positive by ICA.
Results. The observed symptoms were consistent with the molecular data, and the high effectiveness of combining RT-PCR with immunochromatographic testing was demonstrated.
Conclusion. The results confirm the detection of PepMV and ToBRFV in the plant samples collected from the surveyed regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan and highlight the need to strengthen phytosanitary control measures, conduct regular monitoring of tomato and pepper crops in both greenhouses and open fields, and use modern laboratory diagnostic methods.
