Molecular characterization of emerging distinct watermelon bud necrosis virus (Orthotospovirus citrullonecrosis) variant causing necrosis disease on tomato in India

• Published in: Physiological and molecular plant pathology Vol. 131; p. 102276
• Main Authors: Nagendran, K., Kumari, Shweta, Vignesh, S., Mohana Pradeep, R.K., Suresh Reddy, Y., Bahadur, Anant, Behera, Tusar Kanti
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2024
• Subjects: Emerging virus; Necrosis disease; Thrips borne virus; Tomato viruses; Vegetable virus; Thrips borne virus; Vegetable virus; Emerging virus; Tomato viruses; Necrosis disease
• ISSN: 0885-5765; 1096-1178
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pmpp.2024.102276

Watermelon bud necrosis virus (WBNV) cause serious economic impact on the cultivation of vegetable crops in the Indian subcontinent. In this study, an Orthotospovirus that infect tomato plants with typical severe necrotic symptoms had been identified as WBNV based on N gene sequences. The complete genome sequence of WBNV isolate (22ToNV) was determined and analyzed. The nucleotide sequences of the viral RNA segments in 22ToNV exhibit <91% similarity compared to the published WBNV genome sequence. Whereas, the amino acid sequences encoded by these segments, shared identity of about 96–98.54% among the other WBNV isolates. There is a notable divergence observed specifically within the intergenic regions (IGRs) of the S and M RNAs, with a lower similarity range of 78–84%. Nucleotide sequence comparisons and phylogenetic analysis showed that 22ToNV is a unique WBNV isolate having distinct genetic differences with other known WBNV isolates reported in different geographic regions of the country. •Emergence of distinct WBNV variant causing severe necrosis on tomato in India.•RNA segments of WBNV isolate exhibit <91% similarity with existing sequences.•Intergenic regions of the S and M RNAs, had lower similarity range of 78–84%.•Isolate 22ToNV is a unique WBNV isolate having distinct genetic differences.