Marie Umber

The genome sequence of Dioscorea bacilliform TR virus, a member of the genus Badnavirus infecting Dioscorea spp., sheds light on the possible function of endogenous Dioscorea bacilliform viruses

The complete genome sequence of Dioscorea bacilliform TR virus (DBTRV) was determined. The closest relatives of DBTRV are Dioscorea bacilliform AL virus (DBALV) and Dioscorea bacilliform RT virus 1 (DBRTV1). Specific primers were designed and used to determine the prevalence of DBTRV in a yam germplasm collection. It was found that this virus infects Dioscorea alata and D. trifida plants in Guadeloupe and French Guyana. DTRBV was not detected in any of the tested D. cayenensis-rotundata accessions. In silico analysis provided evidence for the presence of DBTRV-like endogenous sequences in the genome of D. cayenensis-rotundata, pointing to a possible role of these sequences in antiviral defense.

Marker-assisted breeding of Musa balbisiana genitors devoid of infectious endogenous Banana streak virus sequences

Breeding new interspecific banana hybrid varieties relies on the use of Musa acuminata and M. balbisiana parents. Unfortunately, infectious alleles of endogenous Banana streak virus (eBSV) sequences are present in the genome of Musa balbisiana genitors. Upon activation by biotic and abiotic stresses, these infectious eBSVs lead to spontaneous infections by several species of Banana streak virus in interspecific hybrids harboring both Musa acuminata and M. balbisiana genomes. Here we provide evidence that seedy M. balbisiana diploids display diverse eBSV allelic combinations and that some eBSVs differ structurally from those previously reported. We also show that segregation of infectious and non-infectious eBSV alleles can be achieved in seedy M. balbisiana diploids through self-pollination or chromosome doubling of haploid lines. We report on the successful breeding of M. balbisiana diploid genitors devoid of all infectious eBSV alleles following self-pollination and on the potential of breeding additional M. balbisiana diploid genitors free of infectious eBSVs by crossing parents displaying complementary eBSV patterns. Our work paves the way to the safe use of M. balbisiana genitors for breeding banana interspecific hybrid varieties with no risk of activation of infectious eBSVs.