Characterization of sugarcane mosaic virus from Cymbopogon spp. plants in Brazil

Abstract

AbstractIn April 2022, virus‐like symptoms were observed in a Cymbopogon spp. plant grown in the backyard of a house and in Java citronella (C. winterianus) plants in a flower shop in Piracicaba, São Paulo State, Brazil. In April 2023, ca. 700,000 Ceylon citronella (C. nardus) plants showing symptoms of mosaic were observed in a field crop in Dois Corrégos (SP). Evidence for a possible potyvirus infection was revealed by electron microscopy and confirmed by molecular assays. Nucleotide sequencing of amplicons from RT‐PCR identified the potyvirus infecting a Cymbopogon spp. plant, Java and Ceylon citronella as sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV, genus Potyvirus). Phylogenetic analysis of the coat protein gene indicated that the SCMV isolates from Cymbopogon (C1), Java (JC1), and Ceylon citronella (CC) belong to the clade of SCMV from sugarcane. The C1 isolate, and an isolate from sugarcane (SCMV‐SU) (control) were mechanically transmitted to Java citronella, sorghum, sugarcane and maize plants. Aphis gossypii transmitted the C1 and SU isolates to Java citronella plants, while Melanaphis sacchari transmitted only the SU isolate to Java citronella plants. This is the first molecular characterization of SCMV from Cymbopogon spp. plants.