Occurrence of a Novel Strain of Moroccan Watermelon Mosaic Virus Infecting Pumpkins in Kenya
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Date
2022
Authors
Mumo, Naomi Nzilani
Ateka, Elijah Miinda
Mamati, Edward George
Rimberia, Fredah K.
Asudi, George Ochieng’
Machuka, Eunice
Njuguna, Joyce Njoki
Stomeo, Francesca
Pelle, Roger
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Abstract
The Potyvirus Moroccan watermelon mosaic virus (MWMV) naturally
infects and severely threatens production of cucurbits and papaya. In this
study, we identified and characterized MWMV isolated from pumpkin
(Cucurbita moschata) intercropped with MWMV-infected papaya plants
through next-generation sequencing (NGS) and Sanger sequencing
approaches. Complete MWMV genome sequences were obtained from
two pumpkin samples through NGS and validated using Sanger sequencing.
The isolates shared 83.4 to 83.7% nucleotide (nt) and 92.3 to 95.1%
amino acid (aa) sequence identities in the coat protein and 79.5 to 79.9%
nt and 89.2 to 89.7% aa identities in the polyprotein with papaya isolates
of MWMV. Phylogenetic analysis using complete polyprotein nt sequences
revealed the clustering of both pumpkin isolates of MWMV with
corresponding sequences of cucurbit isolates of the virus from other parts
of Africa and the Mediterranean regions, distinct from a clade formed by
papaya isolates. Through sap inoculation, a pumpkin isolate of MWMV
was pathogenic on zucchini (Cucurbita pepo), watermelon (Citrullus
lanatus), and cucumber (Cucumis sativus) but not on papaya. Conversely,
the papaya isolate of MWMV was nonpathogenic on pumpkin,
watermelon, and cucumber, but it infected zucchini. The results suggest
the occurrence of two strains of MWMV in Kenya having different biological
characteristics associated with the host specificity.
Description
article
Keywords
disease management, tree fruits, viruses, viroids
Citation
Mumo, N. N., Ateka, E. M., Mamati, E. G., Rimberia, F. K., Asudi, G. O., Machuka, E., ... & Pelle, R. (2022). Occurrence of a Novel Strain of Moroccan Watermelon Mosaic Virus Infecting Pumpkins in Kenya. Plant Disease, 106(1), 39-45.