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Research Project: Characterization and Detection of Viruses that Impact the Exchange and Curation of Plant Germplasm

Location: National Germplasm Resources Laboratory

Title: Three viruses cause mosaic symptoms in sugarcane and related species in Louisiana among which sorghum mosaic virus is predominant

Author
item MOLLOV, DIMITRE - Animal And Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
item Grinstead, Samuel
item Warnke, Kathryn
item Grisham, Michael
item Hale, Anna
item DAUGROIS, JEAN HEINRICH - Cirad, France
item ROUMAGNAC, PHILIPPE - Cirad, France
item ROTT, PHILIPPE - Cirad, France

Submitted to: Plant Disease
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/2/2025
Publication Date: 3/10/2025
Citation: Mollov, D., Grinstead, S.C., Warnke, K.Z., Grisham, M.P., Hale, A.L., Daugrois, J., Roumagnac, P., Rott, P. 2025. Three viruses cause mosaic symptoms in sugarcane and related species in Louisiana among which sorghum mosaic virus is predominant. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-11-24-2359-RE.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-11-24-2359-RE

Interpretive Summary: Sugarcane is a major crop grown in Louisiana. Multiple viruses hinder sugarcane production and cause yield reductions. In this study we investigated the cause of mosaic in 36 symptomatic sugarcane accessions from Louisiana using genomic approaches. We determined that mosaic disease is predominantly caused by sorghum mosaic virus. Further analysis identified the genetic relatedness and potential origin of isolates detected in Louisiana. There were genetic differences between isolates from the Western Hemisphere and isolates from Asia. Providing clear guidance on importing and distributing sugarcane germplasm and discussing potential quarantine implications are highlighted in our results. This study will be useful to the sugarcane industry and researchers who plan to import sugarcane germplasm to the U.S. especially from Asia.

Technical Abstract: At least six different viruses cause mosaic-like symptoms in sugarcane and related grasses, but only sorghum mosaic virus (SrMV), sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV), and sugarcane streak mosaic virus (SCSMV) have been reported in Louisiana since 1919. In this study, complete genome-coding sequences (9168-9240 nt) were obtained for viruses from 36 symptomatic leaf samples of cultivated (Saccharum officinarum and Saccharum interspecific hybrids) and wild sugarcane (S. spontaneum) and one sample of silver grass (Miscanthus sinensis). Thirty-five sugarcane samples were infected by SrMV whereas SCMV was found in only one sugarcane sample. Miscanthus sinensis mosaic virus (MsiMV) was identified in the silver grass sample. Virus populations of SrMV from the USA and from China differed based on phylogenetic investigations of the genome-coding sequence of 59 virus isolates. Recombination events and the greater diversity of SrMV in China suggested that the virus occurring in the USA originated from Asia. SrMV isolates from the Americas (Argentina, Louisiana, Paraguay, and Texas) also formed a unique phylogenetic sub-cluster in a phylogenetic tree based on the coat protein sequence of 696 worldwide virus isolates. These isolates of the Western Hemisphere differed from all the isolates from Asia (China, Myanmar, and Viet Nam). The isolates of SrMV from the USA included the three pathogenic strains (H, I, M) occurring in Louisiana and belonged to the same phylogenetic lineage, thus suggesting that the pathogenic variation of the virus needs further investigations and application of strict quarantine measures to avoid further spread of SrMV among sugarcane-producing locations.