Field screening of tomato varieties resistant to tomato yellow leaf curl virus and tomato spotted wilt virus in Hawaii

Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV) has been prevalent within Hawaii for many years, negatively impacting tomato production across the state. Fortunately with different horticulture and pest management tactics, TSWV was adequately managed. In 2009 Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV) was first detected in Hawaii, requiring the need to find dual resistant tomato varieties to both TYLCV and TSWV. This study was conducted to identify the best commercially available tomato varieties with dual resistance to cultivate in Hawaii, along with the highest marketable yield and fruit quality measured by shelf life and brix content. An open field trial is currently being conducted in Waimanalo Research Station incorporating ten tomato varieties. Varieties were chosen based on resistance/tolerance to TYLCV and TSWV along with a susceptible control. All tomato varieties were arranged in a randomized complete block design consisting of 10 varieties with 5 replications per variety, and 7 plants per replication. Tomato plants were visually inspected/scored for disease severity symptoms in the field. To confirm virus presence/absence, sampled leaves from TYLCV and TSWV symptomatic and healthy plants will be assayed in the laboratory. This paper will present results on yield, insect vector densities, and fruit quality.