First report of Solanum elaeagnifolium as a natural host of chickpea chlorotic dwarf virus in Tunisia

Geminivirus-induced diseases are considered a significant threat to horticultural production in Tunisia. Chickpea chlorotic dwarf virus, species Mastrevirus cicerparvi (CpCDV, genus Mastrevirus, family Geminiviridae), has a broad host range and is transmitted by leafhoppers. It is described in many tropical and subtropical countries. It was reported on chickpea, watermelon, tomato and pepper in Tunisia (Zaagueri et al. 2019, 2023), causing the hard fruit syndrome in watermelon. During 2020 and 2021 surveys, Solanum elaeagnifolium, a common invasive perennial weed belonging to Solanaceae, was sampled within and nearby cucurbit and tomato fields where CpCDV infection was present to understand whether it might represent a source of CpCDV infection for crops.