Control of the Bemisia tabaci/Tomato yellow leaf curl virus complex in tomato nurseries in Portugal*

Abstract

According to EU and Portuguese law, inspection of horticultural nurseries is an important task for the Phytosanitary Inspection Services of the NPPO, which requires the introduction of some rules: official registration of producers and production of plant material of EC quality. Mainly as a result of the introduction of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) in 1995, tight control of registered nurseries was implemented in Algarve in order to ensure the production of young horticultural plants of good varietal and phytosanitary quality. A survey system was established in order to contain pests by trying to eradicate them in nurseries. Nurseries were obliged to adopt new technologies, including for example the compulsory use of screen nets, the improvement of the existing glasshouses and the implementation of strict rules for access of people to these places. The Administration (MADRP/DRAALG) has provided financial support in order to have new nursery glasshouses (without increasing the area) suitable for the control of Bemisia tabaci and other pests which may be disease vectors. It should be stressed that about 50% of nursery production in Algarve is used in other regions of Portugal, considered as EU Protected Zones for B. tabaci.