Characterisation of a novel virus infecting orchids of the genus Pleione

Abstract

Plants of the genus Pleione, originating from hobby growers in the Netherlands and in the Czech Republic, were conspicuous for viral infection, showing symptoms of leaf mosaic or flower breaking. Using Sanger and high throughput sequencing, the full genome sequence of a novel potyvirus was obtained from sequencing data. The genome sequence was annotated and compared to the genome of other potyviruses. The virus was experimentally transmitted by aphids into Pleione and Chenopodium quinoa plants. The name Pleione flower breaking virus (PlFBV) was suggested for the new virus. The presence of the virus was confirmed using RT-PCR, with newly designed primers targeting this new species. The incidence of the virus was contrasted between both countries and might have been influenced by the growth conditions and the exposure of the plants to aphids.