Detection and Molecular Variability of Fig Fleck‐Associated Virus and Fig Cryptic Virus in Iran

Abstract

AbstractForty‐eight fig orchards were surveyed to determine the presence and incidence of Fig cryptic virus (FCV), Fig fleck‐associated virus (FFkaV), Fig leaf mottle‐associated virus 1 (FLMaV‐1), Fig leaf mottle‐associated virus 2 (FLMaV‐2) andFig mosaic virus(FMV) in four provinces of northeast, northwest and central regions of Iran. A total of 197 leaf samples from commercial and outdoor fig gardens were collected in April and September 2012 and tested by reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Approximately 14.7% of the tested fig trees were infected byFCV,FFkaV andFMVwith a peak of 18% in Tehran province. None of samples was found to be infected withFLMaV‐1 orFLMaV‐2.FFkaV was found in fig trees collected in all the four provinces, but noFCVinfection was found inSemnan province, andFMVwas just occurred inMarkai andTehran. Mixed infections ofFCVwithFFkaV andFMVwere detected in 2.5% of the samples. The sequence of theCPfragment of sixIranianFCVisolates showed 97–99% nucleotide (nt) identity with the referenceFCVisolate, while that of a RdRp and Gp fragments of nineFFkaV and twoFMVIranian isolates showed 87–91% nt and 89–90% identity with the reference isolates, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis grouped theFCVandFFkaV isolates in two distinct clusters, with the Iranian isolates included in both clusters. Results showed genetic diversity among Iranian viruses. Structure and diversity ofFCVandFFkaV populations are discussed.