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Title: POTATO YELLOW VEIN VIRUS: A NEW POTATO VIRUS TRANSMITTED BY TRIALEURODES VAPORARIORUM

Author
item SALAZAR, L - INTL POTATO CTR LIMA PERU
item MULLER, G - INTL POTATO CTR LIMA PERU
item LAZARTE, J - INTL POTATO CTR LIMA PERU
item ZAPATA, J - CORPOICA EXP STA COLOMBIA
item Owens, Robert

Submitted to: Annals of Applied Biology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/10/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Since the 1970s, whitefly populations have increased dramaticaly - especially in tropical and subtropical areas. Concurrent with the worldwide increase in whiteflies has been an increase in the prevalence of whitefly-transmitted viruses. This manuscript describes the characterization of potato yellow vein virus (PYVV), a bipartite closterovirus transmitted by the greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum). PYVV is the causal agent of potato yellow vein disease, and sporadic outbreaks of this disease were first reported more than 50 years ago in Colombia. More recently, this disease has begun to spread to neighboring countries, and it now poses at least a potential threat to U.S. potato production. We have cloned and sequenced a 992 bp DNA fragment derived from the so-called "heat shock protein" gene of PYVV. Comparison of the corresponding amino acid sequences revealed striking similarities between PYVV and two other whitefly- transmitted closteroviruses with bipartite genomes. The cloned DNA can also be used a probe in a sensitive hybridization-based assay for PYVV in seed potato certification schemes. Epidemiological surveys carried out in Rionegro, Colombia identified several common weed species (e.g., Polygonum spp.) as potential virus reservoirs; among the solanaceous indicator plants tested, only potato and tomato were susceptible to PYVV infection under greenhouse conditions. Our results will be of particular interest to APHIS and other quarantine and regulatory agencies responsible for preventing the spread of exotic virus diseases via international trade in seed potatoes.

Technical Abstract: Sporadic occurrence of potato yellow vein disease (PYVD were first observed by potato growers in Antioquia, Colombia in the early 1940's. The causal agent (presumably viral in nature) has long been known to be transmitted by the greenhouse whitefly (T. vaporariorum), but its precise identity remained obscure. Here, we present evidence that the causal agent of PYVD is a closterovirus with a bipartite genome, potato yellow vein virus (PYVV). Electrophoretic analysis revealed that diseased tissue contains 4-5 disease specific dsRNAs ranging in size from ca. 9,000 - 1,800 bp. RT-PCR reactions containing pairs of degenerate primers directed against conserved motifs in the closterovirus heat-shock protein homolog produced products of the predicted sizes. Comparison of the coresponding amino acid sequences revealed striking similarities between PYVV and two bipartite, whitefly-transmitted criniviruses, cucurbit yellow stunting disorder and tomato chlorosis viruses. Potential viral reservoirs of PYVV identified by epidemiological surveys carried out in Rionegro, Colombia include Polygonum mepalense, Polygonum spp., Rumex obtusifolium, Tagetes spp., and Vinca rosae. Of a variety of solanaceous indicator species tested by side-grafting under greenhouse conditions, only Solanum tuberosum and Lycopersicon esculentum were susceptible to infection by PYVV. The virus can be transmitted through tubers, and visual symptoms alone cannot be used to diagnose PYVV infection. A sensitive hybridization-based assay for PYVV has been developed for use in seed certification programs.