Host range of three isolates of papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) found in North Sumatera and West Java

Abstract

Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) isolates collectd from North Sumatera and West Java were evaluated for host range using mechanical inoculation. PRSV is one of the dangerous diseases in papaya plants in Indonesia reported to have a limited host range and caused symptom variation on plants. The study aim to determine the host range of three PRSV isolates from North Sumatera and West Java to several crops. Incidence of PRSV symptoms on plants was observed by morphological characterization. The experimental results showed that two PRSV isolates from Medan Ampelas and Deli Serdang North Sumatera, and Cibinong West Java isolates were pathogenic and caused systemic symptoms to Carica papaya cv. MD (Caricacea), melon (C. melo) and bitter melon (Momordica charantia). The symptom of infected papaya by the three isolates are vein clearing, mosaic on leaves, leaf blanching, wilt, and mottle on leaf lamina. The isolates caused asymptomatic to eggplant (Solanum melongena) and choy sum (Brassica rapa), asparagus bean (Vigna unguiculata), tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum syn. lycopersicum esculentum). Melon plants showed symptoms of vein clearing and lamina blanching by Medan Ampelas, and Cibinong isolates respectively, and bitter melon showed symptoms of vein clearing and leaf malformation, and mottle by isolate of Medan Ampelas and Cibinong respectively. The two plant species display asymptomatic by isolate of Deli Serdang. Isolate of Deli serdang has the potential to be a mild strain of PRSV. Complete characterization of mild strains of plant virus through molecular technology approaches can enrich understanding of the potential of these organisms for cross-protection.