Diversity of viruses infecting sweet potato in Beijing based on small RNA deep sequencing and PCR or RT-PCR detection

Abstract

Viral diseases caused severe yield losses and quality decline of sweet potato. To identify viruses that are infecting sweet potato in fields in Beijing, we used small RNA deep sequencing and PCR or RT-PCR and found seven RNA viruses and four DNA viruses, including an unrecorded virus, broad bean wilt virus 2. Sweet potato leaf curl virus and sweet potato feathery mottle virus had the highest incidence (88% of tested samples). Coinfection with sweet potato viruses was common in Beijing, and most samples were simultaneously infected by four or more virus species with different genomic types. These results indicated that potyviruses and DNA viruses were prevalent in sweet potato in Beijing, which will be useful for detection and control of viral diseases. This is the first comprehensive report of sweet potato viruses in Beijing. We expected that targeted detection of viruses in sweet potato seedlings will increase the number detected and thus inform management decisions of sweet potato seedlings.