Geminivirus, in particular the members of Begomovirus genus, are considered the main phytosanitary problem of tomato cultivation in tropical and subtropical regions of the planet, causing considerable losses. Cuba cannot avoid this emergent situation, and at the end of 1989 there were reported percentages of viral infection in the commercial areas of the country. The objectives of this work have been led to carry out the molecular identification of these geminivirus in Cuban tomato plantations and to develop the molecular methods for the quick and precise diagnosis of geminivirus in the production areas.

Two new bipartite geminivirus were identified for the first time in Cuba, which were denominated "Havana" tomato virus (H1V) and Taino tomato mottled virus (TTM0V). Both viruses have two genomic components (A-DNA and B-DNA) with different sequences with the exception of the common region, in which there are sites and molecular structures involved in the viral replication and transcription. The analyses of the open reading phases demonstrated that the characterized viruses are phylogenetically related to the Begomovirus from the new world. The isolated viral genomes were inoculated in host plants by bioballistics and agro inoculation methods, and it was proven their infectivity. It was also observed, the A-DNA capacity to reply autonomously and the need of both components' presence for the manifestation of the systemic symptoms in the infected plants.

The biological and molecular characterization of these virus has derived in obtaining diagnosticians, nowadays used to determine the etiological agents that cause epiphytism in cultivations of economic interest for the country.