Archivio Journal of Plant Pathology

Abstract:

The genetic diversity of potyviruses infecting potato and vegetables in Iraq was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) targeting the 3 ́ terminal part of the genome. RT-PCR products were cloned and sequenced. Sequence analysis confirmed the occurrence of potyviruses, namely Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) in broad bean, Potato virus Y (PVY) in potato and tomato, and Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) in zucchini squash. BYMV sequences showed maximum nucleotide sequence identity (97.2-98.7%) with isolates from Australia and Japan. Most PVY sequences were very closely related (ca. 99% nucleotide sequence identity) to PVYO: N isolates from USA and Canada, whereas other sequences showed nucleotide identities (98.5-98.7%) with PVYNTN isolates from Poland, UK and Syria. ZYMV sequences showed maximum nucleotide identity (97.9%) with an isolate from Israel. The low genetic diversity amongst Iraqi potyviruses, alongside their high sequence identities with potyviruses from other countries, suggests a relatively recent introduction to Iraq through imported planting materials.