Identification of Zinnia leaf curl virus infecting Zinnia elegans in India

Abstract

In a survey during 2007 to 2009 at Gorakhpur and nearby locations of North Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India leaf curling, foliar deformation and distortion symptoms were observed on Zinnia elegans plants. The associated White fly population indicated the possible presence of begomovirus in the field. Therefore, Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed with the begomovirus specific primers (TLCV-CP). Total genomic DNA was isolated from infected as well as healthy leaf samples. In gel electrophoresis expected ~500 bp amplicons was obtained in symptomatic leaf sample while, no amplicon was found in healthy leaf samples. Amplicon obtained were directly sequenced and submitted in the GenBank (GQ412352) and phylogeny were constructed with the available identical sequences in the Genbank. Based on the highest similarity 97% at nucleotide and 99% at amino acid level and closest relationship with isolates of Zinnia leaf curl virus, the present study isolate was considered an isolate of Zinnia leaf curl virus. Key words: Zinnia elegans, Zinnia leaf curl virus, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), phylogenetic analysis.