B. Ramesh

Identification of a New Potyvirus Associated with Chlorotic Vein Banding Disease of Spathiphyllum spp., in Andhra Pradesh, India

The genome of a potyvirus isolate associated with chlorotic spots and vein banding symptoms on Spathiphyllum spp., in Andhra Pradesh state, India was amplified by RT-PCR using degenerate potyvirus primers, amplicons cloned, and sequence (1.6 kb) analyzed. This virus isolate shared maximum identity of 74.8% and 80.2% at coat protein (CP) gene nucleotide (906 nucleotides) and amino acid (302 amino acids) levels, respectively with Dasheen mosaic virus (DsMV)-M13 isolate reported from China. But its 3`-UTR (258 nucleotides) had maximum identity of 62.5% with DsMV-Vietnam isolate. The deduced molecular weight of CP is 33.57 kDa and it contained DAG triplet in its N-terminal region. In CP amino acid based phylogenetic analysis, this virus isolate represented a separate branch but closer to DsMV isolates cluster. Based on the molecular criteria set for the discrimination of species and genus in the Potyviridae family, the present virus isolate was identified as a distinct virus species in the genus Potyvirus and proposed the name Spathiphyllum chlorotic vein banding virus (SCVbV).