Root-knot nematodes (RKN) (Meloidogyne spp.) are economically the most important pathogens of agricultural products. The aim of the present study was to control Meloidogyne javanica by using Arthrobotrys oligospora and salicylic acid (SA) and to analyse the kinetics of enzymes, phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), peroxidase (POX), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and phenolic compounds accumulation in the root system of tomato after inoculation with M. javanica, A. oligospora and SA. The ability of A. oligospora to produce extracellular proteases was also examined. In greenhouse studies, we used soil drenching of A. oligospora (10⁶ spores/ml) and soil drenching or leaf spraying of SA (5 mM) in six-leaf stage, separately and in combination. Experiments were performed in a completely randomised design. The efficiencies of treatments were appraised by using diameter of galls, number of galls per plant, number of egg masses per plant, number of eggs per egg mass, root and foliage fresh weight. The results showed that the combined application of A. oligospora and SA provided the best nematode control. The activity of the enzymes and phenolic compounds increased in comparison with the control. The nematophagous fungus A. oligospora produced extracellular proteases in the broth culture. Using A. oligospora and SA could be effective in control of M. javanica in tomato.

Emaravirus (Order Bunyavirales; Family Fimoviridae) is a genus comprising over 20 emerging plant viruses with a worldwide distribution and economic impact. Emaraviruses infect a variety of host plants and have especially become prevalent in important long-living woody plants. These viruses are enveloped, with a segmented, single-stranded, negative-sense RNA genome and are transmitted by eriophyid mites or mechanical transmission. Emaraviruses have four core genome segments encoding an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, a glycoprotein precursor, a nucleocapsid protein, and a movement protein. They also have additional genome segments, whose number varies widely. We report here that the proteins encoded by these segments form three main homology groups: a homolog of the sadwavirus Glu2 Pro glutamic protease; a protein involved in pathogenicity, which we named “ABC”; and a protein of unknown function, which we named “P55”. The distribution of these proteins parallels the emaravirus phylogeny and suggests, with other analyses, that emaraviruses should be split into at least two genera. Reliable diagnosis systems are urgently needed to detect emaraviruses, assess their economic and ecological importance, and take appropriate measures to prevent their spread (such as routine testing, hygiene measures, and control of mite vectors). Additional research needs include understanding the function of emaravirus proteins, breeding resistant plants, and clarifying transmission modes.

RNASeq or double-stranded RNA based approaches allowed the reconstruction of a total of 9 full-length or near full-length genomes of the recently discovered grapevine virus T (GVT). In addition, datamining of publicly available grapevine RNASeq transcriptome data allowed the reconstruction of a further 14 GVT genomes from five grapevine sources. Together with four GVT sequences available in Genbank, these novel sequences were used to analyse GVT diversity. GVT shows a very limited amount of indels variation but a high level of nucleotide and aminoacid polymorphism. This level is comparable to that shown in the closely related grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus (GRSPaV). Further analyses showed that GVT mostly evolves under conservative selection pressure and that recombination has contributed to its evolutionary history. Phylogenetic analyses allow to identify at least seven clearly separated groups of GVT isolates. Analysis of the only reported PCR GVT-specific detection primer pair indicates that it is likely to fail to amplify some GVT isolates. Taken together these results point at the distinctiveness of GVT but also at the many points it shares with GRSPaV. They constitute the first pan-genomic analysis of the diversity of this novel virus.

The highly infectious Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) is a new viral threat to tomato production worldwide. In production, the very easy mechanical transmissibility combined with the high resistance in vitro is of great concern. We tested: (i) whether household cleaning products, commercial agricultural detergents, and an authorized plant protectant are suitable for cleaning contaminated clothing, and (ii) whether infectious viruses remain in the resulting cleaning water. The evaluation of the sanitation effect was performed using bioassays, by counting ToBRFV-associated necrotic local lesions on Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthi NN. For this purpose, leaves were mechanically inoculated with treated fabrics and cleaning solutions which would normally be discharged to the sewer system. The detergents Fadex H⁺ (FH) and Menno Hortisept Clean Plus, as well as the disinfectant Menno Florades (MF), led to an almost complete removal of ToBRFV from contaminated fabrics, corresponding to a reduction in local lesions by 99.94–99.96%. In contrast, common household cleaning products (Spee ActivGel (SAG), Vanish Oxi Action Gel (VO) did not effectively remove the pathogen from the fabric, where the reduction was 45.1% and 89.7%, respectively. In particular, cleaning solutions after the use of household cleaners were highly contaminated with ToBRFV. After a 16-h treatment with the disinfectant MF, infectious ToBRFV was no longer present in VO, FH, and MF cleaning solutions, as demonstrated by extensive bioassays.

The tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) causes severe damage to tomato cultivars and has international economic importance. The harmful tobamovirus is easily mechanically transmissible and highly stable. An ongoing cultivation of infected tomato plants may lead to the spread of ToBRFV in and around the production area of the infested tomato farm. We conducted a study in which we collected a representative number of swab samples from various inanimate surfaces in greenhouses, packaging halls, and shared and private accommodations. In addition, numerous fabrics, such as outer clothing, bed linen, and items used by greenhouse workers, were tested. The infectivity of ToBRFV-contaminated surfaces was tested in bioassays using Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthi NN and confirmed using DAS-ELISA. The proportion of ToBRFV-contaminated surfaces varied among locations, from 48.7% in greenhouses to 0% in offices with limited access to staff. Samples from shared accommodation and private accommodation were 18.4% and 3.6% ToBRFV positive, respectively. Clothing and protective items were found to be highly contaminated with ToBRFV, and even around the sleeping area, infective ToBRFV was detected in a few apartments. This study provides evidence for the first time on how and where infectious ToBRFV can be spread by humans beyond the production area. To avoid further dissemination, strict hygiene protocols are required to interrupt transmission routes.