Biology and management of sugarcane yellow leaf virus: an historical overview

Abstract

Sugarcane yellow leaf virus (SCYLV) is one of the most widespread viruses causing disease in sugarcane worldwide. The virus has been responsible for drastic economic losses in most sugarcane-growing regions and remains a major concern for sugarcane breeders. Infection with SCYLV results in intense yellowing of the midrib, which extends to the leaf blade, followed by tissue necrosis from the leaf tip towards the leaf base. Such symptomatic leaves are usually characterized by increased respiration, reduced photosynthesis, a change in the ratio of hexose to sucrose, and an increase in starch content. SCYLV infection affects carbon assimilation and metabolism in sugarcane, resulting in stunted plants in severe cases. SCYLV is mainly propagated by planting cuttings from infected stalks. Phylogenetic analysis has confirmed the worldwide distribution of at least eight SCYLV genotypes (BRA, CHN1, CHN3, CUB, HAW, IND, PER, and REU). Evidence of recombination has been found in the SCYLV genome, which contains potential recombination signals in ORF1/2 and ORF5. This shows that recombination plays an important role in the evolution of SCYLV.

Brassica yellows virus’ movement protein upregulates anthocyanin accumulation, leading to the development of purple leaf symptoms on Arabidopsis thaliana

“…Many viruses belonging to Luteoviridae can also induce purple coloration symptoms on their host plants. For instance, TuYV, which is widespread in European countries, induces reddening/purpling of the leaves on oilseed rape 64 ; reddish tinge can be found on some Sugarcane yellow leaf virus -infected sugarcane cultivars 65 ; and the red leaf disease on oats and maize is caused by a luteovirus called Barley yellows dwarf virus 66 , 67 . Here, we showed that the transformation of the BrYV amplicon can induce purple leaf symptoms on transgenic Arabidopsis plants.…”

Identification and characterization of Miscanthus yellow fleck virus, a new polerovirus infecting Miscanthus sinensis

“…However, to date, M . sinensis has not been reported to be a host for ScYLV [ 10 ]. For further diagnostic testing, total RNA was re-extracted and subjected to HTS and bioinformatics analysis.…”

“…ScYLV is a causal agent of yellow leaf syndrome in sugarcane, which is characterized by yellowing of the leaf midrib on the abaxial surface, and accounts for yield losses of 11–50% [ 10 ]. ScYLV is spread in a persistent, circulative, and non-propagative manner by several aphid species, notably by Melanaphis sacchari and R .…”

“…maidis [ 11 , 12 ]. ScYLV is also spread by infected stem cuttings or sections of stalks (“setts”) used to propagate sugarcane and to distribute germplasm [ 10 ].…”

“…ScYLV is a polerovirus member of the Luteoviridae [ 10 ], a family of plant-infecting, positive-sense RNA viruses that are principally phloem-limited, vectored by aphids, and form icosahedral (t = 3) virus-like particles (VLPs) [ 13 , 14 ]. Many viruses in the family Luteovirida e, besides ScYLV, negatively affect crop production, notably Barley yellow dwarf virus , Cereal yellow dwarf virus , Beet western yellows virus , and Potato leafroll virus [ 13 ].…”