Genetic Diversity and Distribution of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus in Fields and Greenhouses of Iran

Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) is considered as one of the most important tomato pathogens in Iran. During the years 2007 to 2009, a total number of 284 symptomatic samples were collected from tomato fields and greenhouses from eight provinces of the country. The PCR test showed that 153 tomato samples from six provinces were infected by TYLCV. This is the first report of TYLCV in Rezvan (Hormozgan), Dashtestan (Bushehr),Dezful (Khuzestan), Pakdasht and Islamshahr (Tehran) regions. Based on geographical region and symptoms, nine isolates from six provinces were selected for further studies.Comparison of an amplified DNA fragment of 670 bp, including a part of coat protein and movement protein genes of the virus, with those of previously reported isolates from Iran and closely related isolates available in GenBank, suggested that Iranian isolates examined in this study were grouped into two major groups. Isolates collected from Hormozgan, Khuzestan and Kerman provinces were grouped with other Iranian isolates including TYLCV-Ir2 and TYLCV-Kahnooj and an isolate from Oman. Whereas, isolates collected from Bushehr, Fars, and Tehran were placed close to the Iranian isolate of TYLCV-Abadeh and isolates from occupied Palestine and Egypt. Based on our study, TYLCV has a high genetic diversity in Iran.