Evidence for the occurrence of a distinct potyvirus on naturally growing Narcissus tazetta**

Abstract

Narcissus tazetta is found growing naturally in the different places of Himachal Pradesh, India. Narcissus samples showing chlorosis were collected from Shimla, Solan, Kangra, and Kullu districts of Himachal Pradesh. Positive results for the presence of a potyvirus were shown by samples collected from Kangra district with ELISA using potyvirus group specific antibodies and RT-PCR using potyvirus group specific primers. An approximately 800 bp RT-PCR amplified fragment was cloned and sequenced. Sequence analysis confirmed the identity of the virus infecting Narcissus as a potyvirus. Sequence analysis and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the virus infecting Narcissus is a potyvirus and has close resemblance with Narcissus late season yellows (NLSYV) and Narcissus yellow stripe potyviruses (NYSV) reported from China, but is distinct from both of them. The data will help in complete characterization of a distinct potyvirus infecting Narcissus in India.