Identification and characterization of Pepino mosaic potexvirus in tomato

At the beginning of 1999, a new virus disease occurred in protected tomato crops in The Netherlands. Initial diagnostic tests revealed the presence of a potexvirus but serological tests ruled out the presence of Potato X potexvirus (PVX). Tests for other potexviruses reported from solanaceous crops provisionally identified the virus as Pepino mosaic potexvirus (PepMV). The virus was purified, and an antiserum was produced, which showed strong reactions with both the type isolate of PepMV from pepino and two other isolates from tomato. Host range and symptomatology of the pepino and tomato isolates of PepMV revealed clear differences from PVX. However, differences were also observed between the pepino and tomato isolates of PepMV. Sequence alignment of DNA fragments of 584 bp derived from the RNA polymerase cistron showed almost 95% identity with the pepino isolate, whereas the identity with PVX appeared to be < 60%. Together, these results identified PepMV as the causal agent of the new virus disease in tomato. Based on the differences from the type isolate from pepino ( Solanum muricatum ), the isolates from tomato should be considered as a distinct strain of PepMV for which the name tomato strain is proposed.     

Isolation of two strains of a new Tombusvirus (Havel river virus, HaRV) from surface waters in Germany

Two virus isolates from water samples — one from a small stream in South Western Germany and another one from the Havel river in North Eastern Germany c. 500 km away, proved to be strains, named S and H, respectively, of a new Tombusvirus for which the name Havel river virus (HaRV) had been suggested previously in a brief account. Immunoelectron microscopical decoration tests and sequence comparisons of the coat proteins indicated that the two HaRV strains are only distantly related to known Tombusviruses. The closest relationships were found to Cucumber necrosis virus. Nothing is known about their natural hosts. Because the S strain of HaRV was isolated in a woody area from a small stream close to its origin, they may be pathogens of trees or wild plants in such habitats.     

Survey for viruses infecting onion, garlic and leek crops in Iran

Surveys to identify virus diseases affecting garlic ( Allium sativum ), onion ( Allium cepa ) and Persian leek ( Allium ampeloprasum var. persicum ) were conducted from 1999 to 2002. Surveys covered different regions of Iran (Tehran [different vegetable markets, farmer fields and cultivation areas], Noushahr, Chalous, Roudbar, Sari, Hamadan, Touyserkan, Ghazvin and Jiroft). A total of 2045 (1285 garlic, 525 onion and 230 leek) samples showing symptoms of virus infection were collected and tested by ELISA; and in some cases tests were also confirmed by immunoelectron microscopy (IEM) for the presence of Allium viruses. ELISA results showed that the following viruses were detected: Onion yellow dwarf virus (OYDV), Leek yellow stripe virus (LYSV) (genus Potyvirus , family Potyviridae ), Garlic common latent virus (GarCLV), Shallot latent virus (SLV) (genus Carlavirus ), Garlic virus D (GarV-D), Garlic virus B (GarV-B) and Garlic virus C type (GarV-C) (genus Allexivirus ). None of the samples reacted with antibodies to Shallot yellow stripe virus (SYSV) genus Potyvirus , family Potyviridae ), Shallot virus X (ShVX) and Garlic virus A (GarV-A, genus Allexivirus ). GarCLV, SLV, GarV-D, GarV-B and GarV-C are reported for the first time from Allium crops in Iran.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Amaranthus leaf mottle virus</Emphasis>: 3′-end RNA sequence proves classification as distinct virus and reveals affinities within the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Potyvirus</Emphasis>

Amaranthus leaf mottle virus (AmLMV) was classified as a member of the genus Potyvirus on the basis of its particle morphology, serology, and biological properties (Casetta et al., 1986). Based on these properties, an Amaranthus viridis-infecting virus isolated in Spain, causing mottle and leaf blistering as well as reduced growth has been identified as AmLMV. The 3′ terminal genomic region of this and a reference isolate from Italy has been sequenced and reveals a 95% nucleotide identity between the two isolates. The sequenced part comprises the coat protein with 281 amino acids and 315 nucleotides of the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) preceding a polyadenylated tail. Pairwise comparisons and phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the CP and 3′ UTR of the cloned cDNAs with those of other potyviruses shows that AmLMV is a distinct potyvirus closely related to Potato virus Y.     

First report of Colombian datura potyvirus in tomato

Colombian datura potyvirus (CDV) was detected in about 300 plants of tomato Cabrion in one greenhouse in the Netherlands. Virus identification was based on host range and symptomatology, aphid transmission, electron microscopy and serology. Evidence was obtained that the tomato plants were infected by viruliferousMyzus persicae that acquired the virus from a CDV-infectedBrugmansia plant present in the same greenhouse.     

Further Evidence that Shallot Yellow Stripe Virus (SYSV) Is a Distinct Potyvirus and Reidentification of Welsh Onion Yellow Stripe Virus as a SYSV Strain

ABSTRACT An antiserum to shallot yellow stripe virus (SYSV) was raised and used in combination with a range of other antisera to potyviruses of Allium spp. in electron microscopic decoration experiments. The serological results corroborated an earlier finding that the type isolates of SYSV and Welsh onion yellow stripe virus (WoYSV) are closely related to each other and only distantly related to onion yellow dwarf (OYDV) and leek yellow stripe (LYSV) viruses, the two other major potyviruses infecting Allium spp. Moreover, the decoration results indicated that Japanese potyviruses named OYDV and Wakegi yellow dwarf virus are isolates of SYSV. Sequence analysis of the 3'-terminal regions of the SYSV and WoYSV ge-nomes revealed coat protein (CP) amino acid and 3'-nontranslated region (3'-NTR) nucleotide sequence identities of 95 and 89%, respectively. The CP amino acid and 3'-NTR nucleotide sequences of these viruses differed from those of OYDV and LYSV by >25 and >67%, respectively. The serological and molecular studies showed that SYSV and WoYSV are different strains of a potyvirus distinct from OYDV and LYSV. For priority reasons, we propose that these strains together with the Wakegi-type isolates of OYDV described in Japan be referred to as SYSV and that SYSV isolates from Allium spp. other than shallot be designated as the Welsh onion strain of SYSV (SYSV-Wo).     

Characterization of Grapevine Algerian latent virus isolated from nipplefruit (Solanum mammosum) in Japan

Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Potato virus Y (PVY), Tomato bushy stunt virus nipplefruit strain (TBSV-Nf), and an unknown spherical virus were isolated from nipplefruit (Solanum mammosum) cultivated in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. The spherical virus was identified as Grapevine Algerian latent virus nipplefruit strain (GALV-Nf) from the genus Tombusvirus, based on its physical properties, serological relationships, and analysis of genomic RNA. The genomic RNA of GALV-Nf is 4731 nucleotides long and encodes five open reading frames as well as those of other tombusviruses. Nipplefruit infected with GALV-Nf had severe stunting, leaf deformation, and clear mosaic symptoms. This is the first report of an isolation of GALV in Japan. An erratum to this article is available at .