Status of Begomovirus Research and Management in Kenya

et al. 2020

Preprint

Background Tomato production is threatened worldwide by the occurrence of begomoviruses which are associated with tomato leaf curl diseases. There is little information on the molecular properties of tomato begomoviruses in Kenya, hence we investigated the population and genetic diversity of begomoviruses associated with tomato leaf curl in Kenya. Methods In 2018, we obtained tomato leaf samples with virus-like symptoms from farmers’ fields across Kenya and used Illumina sequencing to identify associated begomoviruses. Using the sequences, we determined the genetic diversity of begomoviruses. Additionally, selection pressure and recombinant isolates within the population were evaluated. Results Twelve complete begomovirus genomes were obtained from our samples with an average coverage of 99.9%. The sequences showed 95.7–99.7% identity among each other and 95.9–98.9% similarities with a Tomato leaf curl virus Arusha virus (ToLCArV) isolate from Tanzania. When we analyzed the amino acid sequences, we detected the highest identities in the regions coding for the coat protein gene (98.5–100%) within the isolates, and with the C4 gene of ToLCArV (97.1–100%). Phylogenetic algorithms clustered all Kenyan isolates in the same clades with ToLCArV, thus confirming the isolates to be a variant of the virus. Recombination analyses identified four putative events (P ≤ 0.05) among the isolates. Estimation of selection pressure within the virus population revealed the occurrence of negative or purifying selection in 5 out of the 6 coding regions. Conclusions The begomovirus associated with tomato leaf curl diseases in Kenya is a variant of ToLCArV possibly originating from Tanzania. Recombinant virus strains were detected within the population and there are divergence evolutionary events within the coding regions of the virus in Kenya. This information is useful in the development of appropriate management strategies for the disease.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

Metagenomic analyses and genetic diversity of Tomato leaf curl virus complex affecting tomato plants in Kenya

et al. 2020

Preprint

“…In this study, we determined the genetic diversity of ToLCArV-like sequences from Kenyan within tomato elds using coding regions and complete genome sequences. Over the years, tomato begomoviruses in Kenya have received little or no attention in previous studies [60]. Our current ndings will deepen the knowledge on genetic diversity of tomato begomoviruses, therefore allowing for better diagnostics and appropriate management options.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

Metagenomic analyses and genetic diversity of Tomato leaf curl Arusha virus affecting tomato plants in Kenya

et al. 2020

Preprint

Background: Tomato production is threatened worldwide by the occurrence of begomoviruses which are associated with tomato leaf curl diseases. There is little information on the molecular properties of tomato begomoviruses in Kenya, hence we investigated the population and genetic diversity of begomoviruses associated with tomato leaf curl in Kenya.Methods: Tomato leaf samples with virus-like symptoms were obtained from farmers’ field across the country in 2018 and Illumina sequencing undertaken to determine the genetic diversity of associated begomoviruses. Additionally, the occurrence of selection pressure and recombinant isolates within the population were also evaluated.Results: Twelve complete begomovirus genomes were obtained from our samples with an average coverage of 99.9%. The sequences showed 95.7-99.7% identity among each other and 95.9-98.9% similarities with a Tomato leaf curl virus Arusha virus (ToLCArV) isolate from Tanzania. Analysis of amino acid sequences showed the highest identities in the regions coding for the coat protein gene (98.5-100%) within the isolates, and 97.1-100% identity with the C4 gene of ToLCArV. Phylogenetic algorithms clustered all Kenyan isolates in the same clades with ToLCArV, thus confirming the isolates to be a variant of the virus. There was no evidence of recombination within our isolates. Estimation of selection pressure within the virus population revealed the occurrence of negative or purifying selection in 5 out of the 6 coding regions of the sequences.Conclusions: The begomovirus associated with tomato leaf curl diseases of tomato in Kenya is a variant of ToLCArV, possibly originating from Tanzania. There is low genetic diversity within the virus population and this information is useful in the development of appropriate management strategies for the disease in the country.

“…In this study, we determined the genetic diversity of ToLCArV-like sequences from Kenyan within tomato fields using coding regions and complete genome sequences. Over the years, tomato begomoviruses in Kenya have received little or no attention in previous studies [ 60 ]. Our current findings will deepen the knowledge on genetic diversity of tomato begomoviruses, therefore allowing for better diagnostics and appropriate management options.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Metagenomic analyses and genetic diversity of Tomato leaf curl Arusha virus affecting tomato plants in Kenya

et al. 2021

Virol J

Background Tomato production is threatened worldwide by the occurrence of begomoviruses which are associated with tomato leaf curl diseases. There is little information on the molecular properties of tomato begomoviruses in Kenya, hence we investigated the population and genetic diversity of begomoviruses associated with tomato leaf curl in Kenya. Methods Tomato leaf samples with virus-like symptoms were obtained from farmers’ field across the country in 2018 and Illumina sequencing undertaken to determine the genetic diversity of associated begomoviruses. Additionally, the occurrence of selection pressure and recombinant isolates within the population were also evaluated. Results Twelve complete begomovirus genomes were obtained from our samples with an average coverage of 99.9%. The sequences showed 95.7–99.7% identity among each other and 95.9–98.9% similarities with a Tomato leaf curl virus Arusha virus (ToLCArV) isolate from Tanzania. Analysis of amino acid sequences showed the highest identities in the regions coding for the coat protein gene (98.5–100%) within the isolates, and 97.1–100% identity with the C4 gene of ToLCArV. Phylogenetic algorithms clustered all Kenyan isolates in the same clades with ToLCArV, thus confirming the isolates to be a variant of the virus. There was no evidence of recombination within our isolates. Estimation of selection pressure within the virus population revealed the occurrence of negative or purifying selection in five out of the six coding regions of the sequences. Conclusions The begomovirus associated with tomato leaf curl diseases of tomato in Kenya is a variant of ToLCArV, possibly originating from Tanzania. There is low genetic diversity within the virus population and this information is useful in the development of appropriate management strategies for the disease in the country.