First Report of Mixed Infection of Jasmine Mosaic-Associated Virus (JMaV) and Jasmine Virus H (JaVH) in Jasmine Species in Florida, United States

Abstract

Over the past 24 years, virus-like symptoms have been observed on Jasminum spp. in Florida. In September 2018, symptomatic Angelwing jasmine leaves from a hedge in Alachua, Florida, were tested for jasmine mosaic-associated virus (JMaV) and jasmine virus H (JaVH). Identification of expected size amplicons was confirmed by sequencing (accession numbers MN245037, MT559755). In December 2018, symptomatic samples from two Gold Coast jasmine plants from St. Lucie County, Florida, were similarly tested. Only JaVH tested positive (accession number MN442626). In July 2019, Angelwing jasmine hedge in Orange County, Florida, exhibiting similar symptoms tested positive only for JaVH (GenBank accession number MN442627). In April 2023, samples from a symptomatic Gold Coast jasmine hedge in Indian River County, Florida, also tested positive only for JaVH. In May 2023, a symptomatic Angelwing jasmine sample from Miami-Dade County tested positive for both JMaV and JaVH. This is the first report of JMaV and JaVH in single or mixed infections in jasmine in Florida, adding to the known virus species infecting jasmine in the state. Because jasmine is propagated vegetatively, it is likely that dissemination of cuttings made from infected plants is responsible for widespread distribution of these viruses.