Traditional and transgenic strategies for controlling tomato-infecting begomoviruses

ABSTRACT *Part of the Ph.D dissertation of the first author, University of Florida, USA** CNPq fellowship Viruses of to the family Geminiviridae are considered someof the most important pathogens in tropical and subtropical regionsof the world. Members of one Geminiviridae genus, Begomovirus, have been causing severe losses, particularly in tomato ( Lycopersiconesculentum ) production in the Americas and the Caribbean. Severalnew begomoviruses have been reported in the region and, at leastone, Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), has been brought infrom the Old World via infected transplants. In addition, therecombination events that are playing an important role in Begomovirus diversity have increased the complexity of their control.This scenario has led to the search for control measures that go beyondtraditional host genetic resistance, chemical controls and culturalpractices. In this review, besides the recommended classical controlmeasures, transgenic approaches will be discussed, as well as themechanisms involved in their successful control of viruses.