Identification and characterization of biologically distinct isolates of Iris yellow spot virus (genus Tospovirus, family Bunyaviridae), a serious pathogen of onion

摘要

Iris yellow spot virus (IYSV) causes an economically important disease in onion bulb and seed crops. While considerable information on the genetic diversity of the virus is available, little is known about the biological variability of the virus. Using two experimental hosts, Nicotiana benthamiana and Datura stramonium, IYSV from naturally infected onion fields was evaluated to determine the existence of biologically different isolates using the following criteria: ability to establish infection and become systemic, and the severity of the disease caused in inoculated plants. Additionally, the nucleocapsid gene of these biologically distinct isolates of IYSY was characterized at the molecular level.