Detalle de: Robust and durable strategies to control damage caused in tomato by begomoviruses associated to tomato yellow leaf curl disease based on genetic resistance

The tomato yellow leaf curl disease (TYLCD) is the major phytopathological problem in tomato in southern Spain and warm regions worldwide. It is caused by begomoviruses (genus Begomovirus, family Geminiviridae), among others Tomato yellow leaf curl virus. Economic damage derives not only from yield losses caused but also from the restriction of the regions and time periods in wich tomato can be produced safely. Because of the strategic interest of tomato production in Andalucía it is considered prioritary to design more effective control programs to reduce TYLCD damage. More robust and durable control alternatives are proposed in the current project based on the use of genetic resistance. On one hand, insect vector (Bemisia tabaci, Hemiptera-Aleyrodidae) resistance bred in our group is exploited by combination with virus resistance based on the gene Ty-1. The latter combination will result in a more effective and durable resistance. Also, the effect of the use of the B. tabaci resistance on the spread of the crinivirus (genus Crinivirus, family Closteroviridae) Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) will be evaluated. On a second hand, the combination (pyramidation) of virus resistance based on Ty-1 and Ty-2 genes will be investigated as it might derive in a wider and more robust virus resistance in tomato. Finally, It will be investigated the possible use of gene editing and classical breeding to incorporate the TYLCD-associated virus resistance based on the recessive gene ty-5 to good taste landrace tomatoes (highly susceptible to TYLCD).