The complete genome sequence of a bipartite begomovirus (genus Begomovirus, family Geminiviridae) infecting yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) in the state of Valle del Cauca (Colombia) has been determined. The complete DNA-A and DNA-B components were determined to be 2600 and 2572 nt in length, respectively. The DNA-A showed the highest nucleotide sequence identity (87.2 %) to bean dwarf mosaic virus (M88179), a begomovirus found in common bean crops in Colombia, and only 77.4 % identity to passion fruit severe leaf distortion virus (FJ972767), a begomovirus identified infecting passion fruit in Brazil. Based on its sequence identity to all other begomoviruses known to date and in accordance with the ICTV species demarcation criterion for the genus Begomovirus (≥91 % sequence identity for the complete DNA-A), the name passion fruit leaf distortion virus is proposed for this new begomovirus. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a bipartite begomovirus affecting passion fruit in Colombia and the second report of a geminivirus affecting this crop worldwide.

Mealybug wilt of pineapple (MWP) is the most important disease of pineapple worldwide. During the months of September and November 2020, pineapple production fields of the cultivar Hawaiiana and hybrid MD-2 in Satipo and Chanchamayo provinces of Peru, showed typical symptoms of MWP. Based on symptoms, the disease incidence level ranged between 70 and 90%. Symptomatic and asymptomatic foliar samples were collected and tested by RT-PCR using primers specific for pineapple mealybug wilt virus (PMWaV) 1, 2, and 3. Selected amplified fragments were sequenced and analyzed with bioinformatics tools. PMWaV-1, 2, and 3 were detected in symptomatic samples of both cultivars but not in asymptomatic samples. PMWaV-1 showed a nucleotide identity of 91.70% with PMWaV-1 from Thailand; PMWaV-2, 99.81% with PMWaV-2 from Thailand; and PMWaV-3, 99.09% with PMWaV-3 from Cuba. Mixed infections of PMWaV-1, 2, and 3 were also detected in both cultivars. To our knowledge, this is the first report of PMWaV-1, 2, and 3, associated with pineapple in Peru.

Corn plants showing symptoms of midribs chlorosis, and leaf reddening, short internodes, ear proliferation, and plant growth reduction were collected in Peru from fields in nine localities in the provinces of Huancayo, Chupaca, and Jauja in the Junín region, and tested to verify phytoplasma presence and identity. Primers amplifying the phytoplasma ribosomal 16S and ribosomal protein genes were used. The phytoplasma presence was detected in symptomatic samples from all the surveyed areas. The sequencing of the obtained amplicons indicated the presence of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’ and ‘Ca. P. pruni’-related strains. A BLASTn search of sequenced genes showed that the two ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma’ strains identified in corn shares 100% and 99.82% identity with the ‘Ca. P. asteris’ strains from maize and 99.92% and 99.55% with ‘Ca. P. pruni’-related strains, respectively. The RFLP analyses allowed to enclose these phytoplasma strains in the 16SrI-B and 16SrIII-J subgroups; however, the two phytoplasmas were, in some cases, present in mixed infection. The 16SrIII-J phytoplasma is for the first time reported associated with the maize bushy stunt disease and this represent a relevant information for the disease epidemiology towards its appropriate management in the affected area.

Faba bean samples with symptoms of yellowing, dwarfism, shoot proliferation, internode shortening, leaf sprouts and lack of pod and seed production were collected from Huancayo and Chupaca provinces, Junin‐Peru, and analysed to verify phytoplasma presence and identity. After total nucleic acid extraction, the amplification with universal phytoplasma primers, using nested polymerase chain reactions, on the 16S ribosomal gene followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and sequence analysis allowed the classification of the detected phytoplasma in the subgroup 16SrIII‐J. The alignment of 30 16S ribosomal gene sequences from 15 faba bean symptomatic samples from single plants allowed verifying the consistent presence of 5 single nucleotide polymorphisms that are however not modifying the phytoplasma classification. The phytoplasma identity was also corroborated by the amplification and the restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses carried out on the ribosomal protein gene amplicons obtained with primers specific for the phytoplasmas enclosed in the 16SrIII group. This is the first description in Peru of a disease associated with phytoplasmas in faba beans.

El maracuyá amarillo es un cultivo de importancia económica para el Valle del Cauca, pero en los últimos años ha presentado una reducción de hasta un 80% en la producción debido a problemas virales. El objetivo de este estudio fue detectar y caracterizar molecularmente un Begomovirus que está afectando cultivos de maracuyá amarillo localizados en dos zonas del Valle del Cauca, La Unión y Palmira. Se colectaron hojas de maracuyá con síntomas típicos de enfermedad viral, se purificó su DNA genómico y se identificó la presencia de Begomovirus bipartitas mediante PCR empleando cebadores degenerados. Cuatro genomas virales parciales obtenidos de muestras vegetales colectadas en La Unión y Palmira fueron clonados, secuenciados y analizados. El análisis de secuencia del Begomovirus que está afectando maracuyá amarillo en Colombia con otros reportados en la base de datos, indica que éste es un  Begomovirus bipartita nuevo que tiene una relación cercana con un Begomovirus aislado de frijol y no tiene ninguna relación con Passionfruit severe leaf distortion virus, un Begomovirus reportado previamente afectando maracuyá amarillo en Brasil. Para nuestro conocimiento, este es el primer reporte de un nuevo Begomovirus bipartita que afecta maracuyá amarillo en Colombia y es diferente de otros Begomovirus previamente reportados a nivel mundial afectando este cultivo.