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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » National Germplasm Resources Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #360332
Research Project: Characterizing and Detecting Pathogens to Ensure Safe Exchange of Plant Germplasm

Location: National Germplasm Resources Laboratory

Title: Ramu stunt virus: genomic diversity across Papua New Guinea

Author
item BRAITHWAITE, KATHY - Sugar Research Australia
item NGO, CHUONG - Sugar Research Australia
item Grinstead, Sam
item Mollov, Dimitre

Submitted to: Proceedings of the International Society of Sugarcane Technologists
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/10/2019
Publication Date: 9/2/2019
Citation: Braithwaite, K., Ngo, C., Grinstead, S.C., Mollov, D.S. 2019. Ramu stunt virus: genomic diversity across Papua New Guinea. Proceedings of the International Society of Sugarcane Technologists. 30:948-952.

Interpretive Summary: Sugarcane is an important agronomic crop in the U.S. Several virus diseases can infect sugarcane and reduce yield and cane quality. Ramu stunt disease, caused by the Ramu stunt virus (RmSV), is a devastating disease of sugarcane and currently confined to Papua New Guinea. The disease is a quarantine concern outside of Papua New Guinea. Quarantine pathogens impact the international movement of germplasm and hinder crop improvement efforts. In this study the full-length genomes of five RmSV isolates, from noble (Saccharum officinarum) and commercial (Saccharum spp. hybrids) sugarcanes, were sequenced. This information is useful to validate and improve existing diagnostic RT-PCR assays, as well as to better understand virus etiology. This research will be useful to sugarcane quarantine, certification, and breeding programs.

Technical Abstract: Sugarcane is an important agronomic crop in the U.S. Several virus diseases can infect sugarcane and reduce yield and cane quality. Ramu stunt disease, caused by the Ramu stunt virus (RmSV), is a devastating disease of sugarcane and currently confined to Papua New Guinea. The disease is a quarantine concern outside of Papua New Guinea. Quarantine pathogens impact the international movement of germplasm and hinder crop improvement efforts. In this study the full-length genomes of five RmSV isolates, from noble (Saccharum officinarum) and commercial (Saccharum spp. hybrids) sugarcanes, were sequenced. This information is useful to validate and improve existing diagnostic RT-PCR assays, as well as to better understand virus etiology. This research will be useful to sugarcane quarantine, certification, and breeding programs.