Molecular epidemiology of begomoviruses occurring on some vegetables, grain legume and weed species in the Terai belt of north India

Abstract

Four vegetable crops (chilli, tomato, potato and sponge gourd), one grain legume (black gram) and two weed species (Ageratum conyzoides and Croton bonplandianum) showing prominent symptoms of Begomovirus were sampled during 2011–2012 from the Bahraich district of the Terai belt in northern India. Total genomic DNA isolated from two of each infected samples were analyzed by PCR analysis using begomovirus coat protein gene specific primers. The amplified products (~775 bp) were cloned and sequenced. Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) was detected in sponge gourd, chilli, potato and tomato; and Ageratum enation virus (AEV) in black gram, A. conyzoides and C. bonplandianum samples. In phylogenetic analysis, ToLCNDV, and AEV isolates clustered in two distinct clades with their respective begomovirus isolates. This is the first record of tentative identification of AEV infecting black gram and C. bonplandianum in India. The study also revealed the wide occurrence of ToLCNDV in northern India.