Occurrence and molecular analysis of quarantine virus in lily cultivation areas in Brazil

Abstract

Abstract: The objective of this work was to describe the occurrence of quarantine Tulip breaking virus (TBV, synonym Lily mottle virus - LMoV) and Lily symptomless virus (LSV), and their respective molecular analyses, to provide data for supporting TBV removal from the Brazilian A1 quarantine pest list, since this virus has spread among the main commercial lily crops in Brazil. The occurrence of these viruses was detected in 12 cultivation areas through multiplex reverse transcription (RT-PCR), using specific primers to genes encoding the respective coat proteins (CP). Eight fragments of 800 nucleotides (nt) obtained from the LMoV-infected lilies and nine fragments of 600 nt from LSV-infected lilies were sequenced. Phylogenetic tree reconstruction showed a robust branch containing the LMoV Brazilian sequences, other LMoV isolates, TBV, and Tulip band breaking virus, suggesting that all are LMoV isolates, although they are clustered into two subgroups. Phylogenetic analysis also showed a robust branch supporting all Brazilian and other LSV sequences, except for an LSV Japanese isolate. Recombination analyses also showed an LMoV recombinant isolate, whereas no recombination events were found among LSV isolates. Lily mottle virus is the prevalent virus in lily crops in Brazil, in single and mixed infections with LSV or Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV).

Keywords

• Lilium
• Lily mottle virus
• Lily symptomless virus
• phylogeny
• recombination analysis
• RT-PCR.