Viruses of grapevine in Syria

Surveys for virus and virus-like diseases were carried out in commercial vineyards and nurseries in seven different Syrian provinces (Aleppo, Dara'a, As Suwayda, Al Qunaytirah, Homs, Hamah, Tartous). Samples were collected at random from 835 individual vines (735 Vitis vinifera and 100 rootstock accessions) for laboratory testing. Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV) , Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV), and Grapevine virus A (GVA) were the only viruses recovered by mechanical transmission to herbaceous hosts. Vein necrosis developed in c. 53% of graft-inoculated 110R indicators and vein mosaic in V. riparia inoculated with material from cv. Corna Alegra. A total of 71% of the ELISA-tested V. vinifera plants (522 out of 735) were infected by one (14.8%) or more (55.8%) viruses. GVA was the most widespread (54.7%), followed by Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 1 (GLRaV-1, 47.3%), Grapevine fleck virus (GFkV, 29.7%), and Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3, 23.9%). Other economically relevant viruses were scarcer, i.e. Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 2 (GLRaV-2, 9%), GFLV (0.8%) and ArMV (0.1%). The most important Syrian grapevine varieties, i.e. Hellwany, Salty, Balady, and Zeiny, had average infection rates that ranged between 44% and 91%. The highest incidence of infections was observed at Damascus (90%), whereas it ranged between 68% and 79% in the other provinces, except for Hama (36%). Rootstocks were in much better sanitary condition (25% infection). GFkV (22%) was the most common virus, whilst the presence of GLRaV-3 (3%), GLRaV-1, and GFLV (1%) was negligible. Grapevine rupestris stem pitting associated virus (GRSPaV) was detected in 72.3% of the samples by RT-PCR. A high percentage of the GRSPaV-positive vines (80%) induced vein necrosis reactions in 110R, thus confirming the recently established correlation between this virus and vein necrosis.     

Phytosanitary status of grapevine in Montenegro

During 2006 and 2007, a survey on the incidence and distribution of fourteen grapevine viruses was carried out in the Skadar Lake basin, one of the two main grapevine‐growing areas of Montenegro. In total 165 samples were collected from four red (‘Vranac’, ‘Krato?ija’, ‘Merlot’ and ‘Cardinal’), two white (‘Chardonnay’ and ‘Rkaciteli’) and a few unknown grapevine varieties in the vicinity of Podgorica and Bar. The phytosanitary status of the collected samples was analysed by DAS‐ELISA and the presence of Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV), Grapevine leafroll‐associated virus 1 (GLRaV‐1), Grapevine leafroll‐associated virus 2 (GLRaV‐2) and Grapevine leafroll‐associated virus 3 (GLRaV‐3) was confirmed in some of them. The most frequently found virus in assayed samples was GLRaV‐3 (54.5%), followed by GFLV (23%), GLRaV‐1 (20%) and GLRaV‐2 (0.6%). These serological analyses showed the absence of Grapevine leafroll‐associated virus 6 (GLRaV‐6), Grapevine leafroll‐associated virus 7 (GLRaV‐7), Raspberry bushy dwarf virus (RBDV), Strawberry latent ringspot virus (SLRSV), Tomato ringspot virus (ToRSV), Raspberry ringspot virus (RpRSV), Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV), Tobacco ringspot virus (TRSV), Tomato black ring virus (TBRV) and Cherry leaf roll virus (CLRV) from all tested samples.     

Viruses and virus diseases of grapevine in Lebanon

Grapevines were surveyed for the presence of virus and virus-like diseases in the main viticultural areas of Lebanon (Bekaa valley, Mount Lebanon, South and North Lebanon). Symptoms of rugose wood were observed in vines ofall cultivars and areas surveyed, whereas leafroll was observed only in some vineyards of the Bekaa valley and, to a lesser extent, in South Lebanon on cvs Tfaifihi, Cinsaut and Cardinal. Symptoms of fanleaf and of phytoplasma-induced yellows were also observed with low frequency in the Bekaa valley on wine-grape cultivars. ELISA tests showed that 53% of 1536 Vitis vinifera vines individually checked were infected by one or more viruses. Grapevine trichovirus A (GVA) was the prevailing virus (32.4%), followed by grapevine fleck virus (GFkV) (19.5%) and grapevine leafroll-associated closterovirus 3 (GLRaV-3) (12.4%). Grapevine leafroll-associated closterovirus 1 (GLRaV-l), grapevine trichovirus B (GVB) and grapevine fanleaf nepovirus (GFLV) were also detected to a lesser extent, their incidence ranging between 1.1 and 3.6%.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In situ</Emphasis> localization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Grapevine fanleaf virus</Emphasis> and phloem-restricted viruses in embryogenic callus of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vitis vinifera</Emphasis>

In grapevine, somatic embryogenesis is particularly effective in eliminating several important virus diseases. However, the mechanism whereby regenerated somatic embryos are freed of the viruses is not clear. The distribution of Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV), Grapevine leafroll-associated virus-3 (GLRaV-3) and Grapevine virus A (GVA) in embryogenic callus of grapevine was investigated by in situ hybridization using digoxygenin-labelled oligonucleotide probes. Four months after culture initiation, in callus originated by GFLV-infected explants we observed a mosaic of infected and uninfected cells, with high concentrations of viruses in some cell groups in peripheral zones of the callus. In addition some abnormal somatic embryos showed a high hybridization signal. In callus originated by GVA- and GLRaV-3-infected explants the viruses were concentrated in few cells surrounded by areas of virus-free cells. The two viruses were generally localized in different clusters of cells inside the callus and the levels of infection were lower than those observed in GFLV-infected callus. No virus was detected in callus nor in somatic embryos after 6 months of culture. The results highlight the difficulties of some viruses at stably invading callus tissues and the differential ability of GFLV to spread in the callus cells compared to the phloem-limited viruses.     

Crude garlic extract significantly inhibits replication of grapevine viruses

Efforts to control viral diseases of grapevine include the production of certified material and development of virus-resistant transgenic grapevines. However, effective antiviral agents, once the viruses have infected the plants, are still lacking. This study shows that a crude garlic extract has significant antiviral activity against grapevine viruses. Replication of grapevine leafroll-associated virus 2 (GLRaV-2) was obviously inhibited in grapevine cv. Cabernet Sauvignon calli treated with diluted (1:100) garlic extract. The relative RNA levels of GLRaV-2 and grapevine fleck virus (GFkV) in cv. Summer Black grapevine in in vitro-grown plantlets 10 days after treatment with diluted (1:100) garlic extract were about 22% and 20%, respectively, of that in controls. The viral RNA accumulation of GLRaV-2, GFkV, grapevine virus A (GVA), grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV) and grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus (GRSPaV) in field-grown grapevine cv. Centennial Seedless plants sprayed with diluted (1:100) garlic extract were about 31–40%, 26–38%, 18–31%, 17–42% and 15–18%, respectively, of that in controls. Moreover, the garlic extract treatment led to a significant decrease in viral RNA accumulation of GLRaV-3, GLRaV-2, GVA, GFkV, GFLV, GRSPaV and grapevine Pinot Gris virus in pot-grown grapevine cv. Shine Muscat plants, and viral disease symptoms in these plants were obviously attenuated. In addition, this extract significantly induced expression of pathogenesis-related protein genes and stimulated activity of antioxidant enzymes in grapevines. Taken together, these results indicate that the crude garlic extract acts as a significant inhibitor against a broad range of grapevine viruses.     

Viruses and virus diseases of grapevine in Egypt

Surveys for virus and virus-like diseases were carried out in commercial vineyards of the main grapevine-growing areas of Egypt along the river Nile and in recently reclaimed desert lands. The only symptoms observed and identified with reasonable confidence in the field were those of leafroll disease in red-berried cultivars. No virus was transmitted to herbaceous hosts by mechanical inoculation from glasshouse-forced cuttings of about 300 vines (40% of total samples). By contrast, ELISA tests showed that 78% of the assayed European vines (521 out of 664) were infected by one (29%) or more (49%) viruses. Grapevine virus A (GVA) was the most widespread virus (67.9% infection), followed by Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3) (55.9% infection). All the other viruses tested for were scarcely represented, i.e. Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 1 (GLRaV-1) 1.8% infection, Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 2 (GLRaV-2) 1.4% infection, Grapevine virus B (GVB) (0.6% infection) and Grapevine fleck virus (GFkV) (0.2% infection), or, like Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV), were totally absent. The infection rate of native cultivars (86%) was particularly heavy. 'Banaty Abiad' and 'Romy Ahmer', the two major Egyptian cultivars, had infection levels of 78% and 89%, respectively, and 'Fayoumy', the most important cultivar in the Fayoum area, had 96% infection. Totally infected were the tested samples of several minor native cultivars such as 'Farg El-Tair', 'Siwi Abiad', 'Ta'afi', 'Romy Abiad', 'Eswid El-Wady', 'Edkawy' and 'Bez El-Anza'. Slightly better was the sanitary situation of imported European grapevine cultivars (60% infection) and of American rootstocks (11.5% infection). In rootstocks, infection rate by GVA and GLRaV-3 was 5.5%, whereas GVB and GLRaV-1 were only sporadically detected.     

新疆三种葡萄病毒RT-PCR检测及序列分析

为研究新疆葡萄中沙地葡萄茎痘伴随病毒(Grapevine rupestris stem pitting associated virus,GRSPa V)、葡萄斑点病毒(Grapevine fleck virus,GFk V)及葡萄病毒A(Grapevine virus A,GVA)的发生情况和新疆分离株系统进化关系,分别克隆3种病毒新疆分离株部分基因区域,应用RT-PCR对新疆64份葡萄样品中上述3种病毒进行检测,并进行系统进化分析。结果显示,GRSPa V、GFk V和GVA的检出率分别为31.3%、62.5%和25.0%。新疆GRSPa V分离株(KJ801847)与美国GRSPa V分离株(AY368590)同源性达96.59%;新疆GFk V分离株(KJ801846)与日本GFk V分离株(AB222861)及中国辽宁GFk V分离株(JF927942)的同源性分别为91.70%和91.03%;新疆GVA分离株(KJ801845)与波兰GVA分离株(JN860997)同源性为93.88%,与中国四川GVA分离株(HQ671655)及辽宁GVA分离株(FJ445220)的同源性分别为92.92%和89.53%。表明3种葡萄病毒在新疆发生比较普遍,且新疆分离株与国内其它地方的分离株存在较大差异。     

Viruses and virus diseases of grapevine in Tunisia

Mature canes were collected from vines in the main grapevine-growing areas in Tunisia (Cape Bon, Bizerte, Ben Arous), from commercial vineyards and mother-plant plots, to assess the presence of virus and virus-like diseases. Biological (mechanical transmission onto herbaceous hosts and grafting onto indicator woody plants) and serological detection (ELISA) methods were applied. ELISA showed that 96.4% of 669 vines tested were infected, most of them (88.1%) by at least two viruses. Grapevine leafroll-associated 3 closterovirus (GLRaV-3) was the most widespread virus (87.9%), followed by grapevine A vitiviras (GVA, 69.4%), grapevine fleck virus (GFkV, 51.9%), grapevine leafroll-associated 1 closterovirus (GLRaV-1, 36.8%), grapevine leafroll-associated 2 closterovirus (GLRaV-2, 19.1%), grapevine fan leaf nepovirus (GFLV, 18.2%) and grapevine B vitiviras (GVB, 14.8%). ELISA tests yielded negative results for grapevine leafroll-associated 7 closterovirus (GLRaV-7) and potato X potexvirus (PVX). The highest infections were found in Bizerte and Cape Bon regions (100 and 99.2%), and in vineyards aged over 20 years (98.5%) as compared with the younger ones (81.1%). Rootstocks in mother-plant plots were practically free from all the viruses tested (1 plant infected out of 81), whereas severe infections were found in Vitis vinifera mother plants (67.4% of 341 samples), in particular table grapes (92.6%) compared with wine grapes (47.9%). In these mother-plant plots, the prevailing viruses were GLRaV-3 (41.3%), followed by GFkV (36.7%), GVA (27.9%), GLRaV-1 (17%) and GLRaV-2 (15.2%). GFLV and GVB were far more limited (1.5 and 0.6%, respectively). The presence of vein necrosis and vein mosaic was ascertained by transmission onto 110R and Vitis riparia indicators, whereas only GFLV was mechanically transmitted onto herbaceous hosts (from about 20% of the samples).     

Transmission of six ampeloviruses and two vitiviruses to grapevine by Phenacoccus aceris

Grapevine leafroll disease is caused by grapevine leafroll-associated viruses (GLRaVs). These viruses are common in vineyards worldwide and often associated with vitiviruses that are involved in the rugose wood complex of grapevine. Ten mealybug species are known as vectors of one or several of these grapevine viruses, including the apple mealybug Phenacoccus aceris which is widespread in Holarctic regions and able to transmit Grapevine leafroll-associated virus-1 and -3 (GLRaV-1 and -3). Our aim was to characterize the transmission features of leafroll viruses by Phenacoccus aceris in order to better understand the contribution of this mealybug to leafroll epidemics. Results showed that Phenacoccus aceris is able to transmit GLRaV-1, -3, -4, -5, -6, and -9 to grapevine but not GLRaV-7. This is the first report of GLRaV-6 transmission by a mealybug. Also, for the first time it was shown that Phenacoccus aceris could vector vitiviruses Grapevine virus A (GVA) and Grapevine virus B (GVB). First instar nymphs were the most efficient stage in transmitting GLRaV-1, -3, and GVA. This research sheds light on the transmission biology of grapevine viruses by Phenacoccus aceris and represents a step forward to leafroll disease management.     

Distinct phylogenetic positions of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Grapevine fanleaf virus</Emphasis> isolates from Iran based on the movement protein gene

In DAS-ELISAs of 86 grapevine samples from northwestern Iran, Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV) was detected in 18 samples. RT-PCR with two primer pairs (M2/M4 or M0/M4) corresponding to GFLV movement protein (MP) amplified the expected 854- and/or 1,489-bp fragment(s), respectively, from all ELISA-positive samples. Four smaller and three larger PCR products were cloned and sequenced, which revealed that the MP region of the isolates was 1,044 nucleotides (nt) long, corresponding to the GFLV MP. There were 83–86% nucleotide and 93–94% amino acid identities deduced between the MPs of the sequenced isolates. Nucleotide sequence identities of 81–87 and 75–79% were found between the MP regions of these isolates and that of previously published GFLV and Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV) strains/isolates, respectively. On a consensus parsimony tree based on the nucleotide sequences, isolates La208 and X300 remained distinct from previously reported GFLVs. This is the first molecular characterization of GFLV MP isolates from Iran. The sequence data reported in this paper have been submitted to the DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank databases and have been assigned accession numbers DQ286901 to DQ286916.     

Synergy between grapevine vitiviruses and grapevine leafroll viruses

An interactive relationship between vitiviruses and grapevine leafroll viruses was characterized in grapevine. Grapevine viruses A and B (GVA and GVB) were found more frequently in the presence of co-infecting Grapevine leafroll associated viruses (GLRaV-1, ?2 or ?3) than in their absence. The titers of the vitiviruses in co-infection with leafroll viruses were found to be higher than were their titers in the absence of leafroll virus infection. The occurrence of vitivirus-associated stem-pitting symptoms was correlated with leafroll virus co-infection. Specific pairing associations on the species level were found between different viti- and leafroll virus species: GVB was associated preferentially with GLRaV-2; GVA was associated preferentially with GLRaV-1 and GLRaV-3. In contrast to the increase in vitivirus titer seen with leafroll virus co-infection, the incidence and titer of grapevine leafroll virus appeared to be unaltered by vitivirus co-infection. The potential for a synergistic enhancement of grapevine disease in co-infected vines is discussed.     

New Mealybug Species Vectoring Grapevine Leafroll-Associated Viruses-1 and -3 (GLRaV-1 and -3)

Many grape viruses, such as filamentous Grapevine leafroll-associated viruses in the Closteroviridae family, are spread primarily through infected propagating material. However, there is increasing evidence that leafroll disease are spread in the field by insect vectors, namely mealybugs and other scale insects. This study was carried out in the northern wine-growing regions of France where Grapevine leafroll-associated virus-1 and -3 (GLRaV-1 and -3) are the most widespread grape Ampelovirus species. The vineyards were inspected for presence of mealybug and scale insects and grapes infected by GLRaV-1 and -3. Mealybugs, Heliococcus bohemicus, Phenacoccus aceris (Pseudococcidae) and the soft scale insect Parthenolecanium corni (Coccidae), were capable of a transmission efficiency of 14%, 23% and 29% respectively. GLRaV-1 and -3 infections that resulted from virus transmission were confirmed with DAS-ELISA using polyclonal antibodies. This is the first report of GLRaV-1 and -3 transmission by mealybug and coccid species in France, and the first report of the ability of H. bohemicus and Phenacoccus aceris to transmit these viruses to grapevines. The relevance of these findings with regards to maintenance of virus-free grapevine stocks and to control leafroll spread in commercial vineyards is discussed.     

Sanitary status of grapevines in south-eastern and central Anatolia (Turkey)

Surveys were carried out in commercial vineyards in the main grapevine-growing areas of south-eastern (Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, Merdin, Sanliurfa, Elazig) and central (Nevşehir) Anatolia (Turkey) to assess the presence and incidence of virus and virus-like diseases. Typical fanleaf symptoms were observed in most of the surveyed areas, but they were particularly frequent in Elazig in cvs Kirmizi, Agin, Sirfoni and Kohnu. Leafroll symptoms were present in most vineyards in Adiyaman, Sanliurfa and Elazig, primarily in the red-fruited cvs Antep Karasi, Humusi, Kohnu and Siyah Kabarcik, and in Nevşheir. Rugose wood symptoms were common in Adiyaman, where vineyards were established with grafted planting material, but not in any of the self-rooted Cappadocian cultivars. Phytoplasma-like symptoms were sometimes observed in Elazig and Nevşheir. Biological (sap inoculation to herbaceous plants and graft transmission to woody indicators) and serological (ELISA) assays were used for virus detection and identification. A total of 55.3% of ELISA-tested vines (296 out of 535) were infected by one (11.4%) or more (43.9%) viruses. GVA ¹ was the most widespread virus (42.4%), followed by GLRaV-1 (38.5%), GFLV (10.7%) and GFkV (7.1%). Surprisingly low (2.4%) was the infection rate by GLRaV-3, and even lower (<1%) that of the other viruses tested, i.e. GLRaV-2, GLRaV-6, GVB and ArMV. GLRaV-7 was not detected. The occurrence of vein mosaic and vein necrosis was ascertained by testing on woody indicators. A putative nepovirus was isolated from a single vine of cv. Kizlar Tahtasi, the identification and characterization of which is still under way.     

Planococcus ficus and the spread of grapevine leafroll disease in vineyards: a 30-year-long case study in north-West Spain

European Journal of Plant Pathology - The mealybug Planococcus ficus is one of the main vectors of Grapevine leafroll associated virus-3 (GLRaV-3), which was commonly detected in cv...     

葡萄卷叶伴随病毒-3外壳蛋白的原核表达及其特异性抗血清的制备

利用RT-PCR技术扩增得到了葡萄卷叶伴随病毒-3(Grapevine leafroll associated virus-3,GLRaV-3)中国分离物的外壳蛋白(coat protein,cp)基因。序列分析结果表明,cp基因的长度为942bp,与已报道的其它GLRaV-3分离物的cp核苷酸相似性为91%～99%,编码的氨基酸相似性为95%～100%。将此基因克隆到原核表达载体pET-28a(+)上,转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)plysS后用终浓度为1mmol/L的IPTG进行诱导表达,SDS-PAGE及Western blotting分析表明,cp在大肠杆菌中可表达出分子量约为35kDa的蛋白。纯化表达产物后免疫家兔制备抗血清。A蛋白酶联免疫吸附测定(PAS-ELISA)及斑点免疫结合测定(DBIA)结果显示,制备的特异抗血清可用于检测田间感病葡萄样品中的GLRaV-3。     

进境欧洲水仙种球上病毒的检测与鉴定

为明确2013年福建口岸截获的进境欧洲水仙种球上携带的病毒种类,应用血清学、电镜观察和分子生物学检测方法对其可能携带的病毒进行了检测与鉴定。结果显示,水仙花叶病毒(Narcissus mosaic virus,NMV)、水仙黄条病毒(Narcissus yellow stripe virus,NYSV)、水仙潜隐病毒(Narcissus latent virus,NLV)、水仙迟季黄化病毒(Narcissus late season yellows virus,NLSYV)和南芥菜花叶病毒(Arabis mosaic virus,ArMV)5种病毒为阳性,其中NLSYV、ArMV为强阳性;NMV、NYSV、NLV和NLSYV为阳性的样品中含有大小约500~750 nm×12 nm的线状病毒粒体,ArMV为阳性的样品中含有直径约30 nm的球状病毒粒体;经序列测定和分析,扩增到的目的片段大小与各病毒预期扩增片段大小一致,并与已报道的各病毒序列高度同源;病毒复合侵染检测结果显示,该批水仙种球39.7%的样品存在2种以上病毒复合侵染。研究表明,该批进境欧洲水仙种球上携带有NMV、NYSV、NLV、NLSYV和ArMV,且复合侵染现象明显。     

Frequency of occurrence and genetic variability of Grapevine fanleaf virus satellite RNA

Little is known about the natural occurrence and genetic variability of nepovirus large satellite RNA (satRNA). This study screened 71 Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV) isolates mainly from Slovenia, but also from other countries in Europe and the USA, for the presence of satRNA, using a newly developed RT‐PCR assay. GFLV satRNA (satGFLV) was detected in 72% of naturally GFLV‐infected grapevines analysed, which is the highest frequency of occurrence of satGFLV reported to date. From 39 naturally GFLV‐infected grapevines, 122 satGFLV clones were sequenced and compared to publicly available sequences of satGFLVs and the closely related satRNAs from Arabis mosaic virus (satArMVs). Phylogenetic analyses of these satRNAs revealed that their evolution was driven by substitutions, insertions, deletions, recombinations and reassortments between closely related helper viruses. Phylogenetic relationships of the satGFLVs and satArMVs show their separate and subsequent common evolution. Furthermore, the satGFLVs varied in size and showed higher variability at the amino acid level than at the nucleotide level, just as the 2AHP gene of their helper virus. This study shows that satGFLVs are also similar to their helper virus with respect to their quasispecies nature and their transmission route through anthropogenic exchange of propagation material.