Identification of Novel Begomoviruses Associated with Leaf Curl Disease of Papaya (Carica papaya L.) in India

Abstract

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is one of the most important fruit crops grown in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Papaya leaf curl disease is one of the greatest concerns next to Papaya ring spot disease for India and the world. A survey was conducted during the year 2019 to 2021 for assessing the leaf curl disease incidence in five major papaya-growing districts of Karnataka State, India. The incidence ranged from 10 to 21 percent, with plants expressing typical begomovirus symptoms. Thirty-two virus-infected papaya samples (PLC-1 to PLC-32), collected from different farmer’s fields, gave positive amplification for begomovirus detection. Based on the partial genome analysis, 13 representative papaya leaf curl isolates were selected for complete genome amplification by rolling circle DNA amplification (RCA). The RCA products were cloned, sequenced and analyzed. Based on the analysis and strain classification criteria for begomoviruses, five isolates (PLC-2, 3, 9, 11 and 18) were considered variants of Chilli leaf curl virus (ChiLCV). Isolate PLC-22 is considered a strain of ChiLCV, with 93.5% nt identity sharing. Similarly, isolate PLC-28 is considered a strain of Croton yellow vine mosaic virus (CYVMV), and isolates PLC-25 and PLC-31 were considered as strains of Papaya leaf curl virus (PaLCuV). Among the remaining four isolates, three (PLC-1, PLC-4 and PLC-7) share more than 91% nt identity among them and less than 91% nt identity with all other reported begomovirus isolates. Hence, they are considered to be isolates of the novel begomovirus, and the name Papaya leaf curl Bagalkote virus [India:Karnataka:Bagalkote:Papaya:2021] is proposed. One isolate (PLC-32) is also found to be distinct from all other begomovirus isolates, including the isolates in the current study also considered to be novel begomovirus, for which we propose the name Papaya leaf curl Haveri virus [India:Karnataka:Haveri:Papaya:2021]. The putative recombination analysis of all 13 papaya isolates showed that a major part of the viral genome was likely descended from the begomoviruses reported previously. This is the first report on the diversity and a distribution of the begomoviruses infecting papaya in Karnataka, India. The current investigation results revealed five major papaya-infecting begomoviruses (PaLCuBKV, ChiLCV, PaLCuV, CYVMV and PaLCuHV) in the sampled regions.

In-silico prediction and validation of Carica papaya protein domains interaction with the Papaya leaf curl virus and associated betasatellite encoded protein

“…Distributed globally, begomoviruses are recognized as the largest and economically significant group of plant viruses, causing substantial damage to various crop varieties. C. papaya, a vital tropical fruit crop known for its potential as a source of pharmacological and bioactive valuable compounds [4,47], faces a substantial threat from begomovirus, impeding its growth and diminishing productivity on a global scale [1]. To gain insights into the interaction between virus and host plant through computational means, interdisciplinary modelling and analysis of protein-protein interactions are currently underway.…”

“…Papaya leaf curl virus (PaLCuV) infection leads to severe symptoms in various agricultural plants, including papaya. The begomovirus features a multifunctional protein crucial for nearly every stage of its life cycle and serves to safeguard the viral DNA structurally [1]. It is vital to tightly regulate interactions between this viral protein and plant proteins during infection [2,3].…”

<i>In vitro</i> and <i>in situ</i> Activity of <i>Cymbopogon citratus</i> Essential Oil Against <i>Alternaria alternata</i> and <i>Phomopsis carica-papayae</i>, Causal Agents of Papaya Leaf Diseases

“…Papaya (Carica papaya L) is one of the most widely grown and marketed tropical fruits in the world [1]. Current world production of papaya is around 13.89 megatonnes.…”

Survey, Detection, Characterization of Papaya Ringspot Virus from Southern India and Management of Papaya Ringspot Disease

“…Of these, fungal and viral diseases are of global significance, causing serious damage to fruit production and devastating the entire crop [ 6 ]. Among the viral diseases, papaya ringspot and leaf curl diseases are more prevalent [ 7 , 8 ]. Globally, papaya ringspot disease (PRSD) is the most devastating disease affecting papaya production in almost every region where it is grown [ 9 ], which is a major constraint for the papaya industry.…”