Journal of Plant Pathology (2006) 88, p. S40b (Davino et al.)

S. Davino, M.G. Bellardi, G.E. Agosteo, G. Iacono and M. Davino (2006)
Characterization of a strain of Pepino mosaic virus found in Sicily
Journal of Plant Pathology 88 (3, Special Issue), S40-S40
S.I.Pa.V XIII National Meeting - Foggia, 12-16 September 2006 - Poster
Abstract: An unusual virus-like yellow leaf disorder associated to mottling of fruits, was observed during winter 2005 in some greenhouse-grown tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) crops in the province of Ragusa (Sicily). Leaves from 250 symptomatic tomato plants were serologically tested by DAS-ELISA using antisera to Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV), Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV). Of the 250 samples tested, 215 were positive for PepMV. This virus was mechanically transmitted to Cucumis sativus 'Cubit', Datura metel, Nicotiana benthamiana and tomato 'Rio Grande'. The host range of Pep-MV from Ragusa differed from that of PepMV found in 2002 in tomato 'Camone' in Sardinia. To amplify PepMV in RT-PCR, primers PepMV-TGB and PepMV-UTR were used that amplify a fragment of 844 bp containing the CP gene, part of the TGB genes and UTR3. PCR fragments were cloned in apCR2.1 - TOPO vector. Purified recombinant plasmids were sequenced on an ABI PRISM DNA 377 sequencer using standard M13 forward and reverse primers. To compare the PepMV isolate from Ragusa (Genbank accession number DQ517884) 14 nucleotide sequences were retrieved from the GenBank entries: nucleotide sequences alignments of CP-PepMV-Ragusa showed 99% homology with both isolates US2 and Spain-Murcia. From an epidemiological point of view, aspects of the long-distance dissemination of PepMV should be considered, like the trade of living plantlets, seeds and contaminated pots. Restrictive measures are required to avoid PepMV spreading to others Italian regions.
Database assignments for author(s): Salvatore Walter Davino, Maria Grazia Bellardi

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
molecular biology - genes

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Pepino mosaic virus	Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)	Italy