Genetic diversity and molecular epidemiology of the T strain of Plum pox virus

Very limited information is available on the origin, diversity and evolution of Plum pox virus (PPV) ‘Turkey’ (T) strain. Phylogenetic analyses based on partial sequences of 421 isolates and complete genome sequences of 57 isolates, representing the geographical distribution of PPV-T in Turkey, revealed the existence of several monophyletic and, in some cases, geographically limited groups within the PPV-T strain (Ankara-Konya1-Kayseri, Ankara-Balkan, Istanbul, Konya2 and Balkan). PPV-T diversity (0.018%) was found to be greater than that of PPV strains D and Rec but lower than that of the M strain when including the newly described and divergent M-Istanbul isolates, suggesting a long evolutionary history for PPV-T. The European part of Turkey in the Balkans, close to Bulgaria where PPV was identified for the first time, appears as a likely centre of origin for PPV-T isolates. The colonization of various parts of Turkey by diverse isolates from that region, followed by secondary local spread, is the most likely scenario for the diffusion of PPV-T in Turkey.     

Genetic diversity and a long evolutionary history of plum pox virus strain rec in Turkey

European Journal of Plant Pathology - Plum pox virus strain Recombinant (PPV-Rec) is hypothetically considered as homologous recombinant between strains PPV-M and PPV-D. The nucleotide position...     

Genetic analysis suggests a long and largely isolated evolutionary history of plum pox virus strain D in Turkey

Plum pox virus (PPV) strain D is globally distributed and causes serious losses in stone fruits in over 40 countries. Here, full-length genomic sequences were analysed for 44 PPV-D isolates from all regions of Turkey, together with partial sequences for a larger number of isolates. PPV-D isolates from Turkey are similar to other PPV-D isolates in all major genomic features. However, the majority of Turkish PPV-D isolates form separate phylogenetic clusters from all other isolates and show a geographical clustering tendency, suggestive of limited movement between regions. In particular, PPV-D isolates from Thrace and Central Anatolia formed a monophyletic sister cluster to the cluster that includes all previously known PPV-D isolates. Two isolates with strong evidence of recombination with the PPV-T strain were identified, together with two isolates with weaker evidence for intra-D strain recombination. The genetic diversity of PPV-D was found to be particularly high in Turkey (0.017 ± 0.001%), close to that observed for PPV-D world diversity once the over-represented isolates from Japan, the USA and Canada have been excluded (0.020 ± 0.001%). Taken together, these results suggest a long and largely isolated evolutionary history of PPV-D in Turkey and further extend knowledge of the diversity of this highly successful strain. The high diversity of PPV-D in Turkey, together with the basal phylogenetic position of Turkish isolates, are compatible with a hypothesis making Turkey the centre of origin of the D strain.