Evaluation of Arachis Species for Resistance to Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus

Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) is an important plant pathogen with a wide host range, including the domesticated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). After initial outbreaks on peanut during the 1980s, the virus has spread to all peanut-producing states in the U.S. TSWV is transmitted by several species of thrips which are difficult to control with insecticides; therefore, control of TSWV most likely will come from selecting resistant genotypes in breeding programs. Although moderate levels of resistance have been discovered in A. hypogaea, complete virus resistance has not been found. Several Arachis species have desirable genes for plant resistances and tolerate many disease and insect pests better than the cultivated species. The objectives of this study were to (a) evaluate TSWV disease incidence and severity in accessions of Arachis species, and (b) compare levels of TSWV resistance in diploid species to selected A. hypogaea genotypes. In this study, 46 diploid Arachis spp. accessions were evaluated in the greenhouse by artificial inoculation tests for resistance to TSWV. Nine Arachis accessions were observed with no disease symptoms when TSWV isolate 10 was used as opposed to A. hypogaea lines that ranged from moderately to highly susceptible. Additional testing with more virulent isolates identified A. diogoi accession GKP 10602 and A. correntina accession GKP 9530 as highly resistant to the virus. These two accessions are being used as parents in crossing programs to incorporate TSWV resistance genes into A. hypogaea.