Occurrence and distribution of Badnavirus in six Piper species in Java

Abstract

Badnavirus, a member of the Caulimoviridae family, is known to cause economic losses in various crops, including Piper spp. However, there is no information on Badnavirus infection in Piper spp. and its distribution in Java. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of Badnavirus in Piper spp and its distribution in Java. The research included field observation, sample collection, and virus detection by PCR. A total of 96 samples of Piper spp. were collected from West Java, Central Java and Yogyakarta Province. The degenerate primer Badna FP and RP were successfully used to amplify DNA fragments of 600 bp from leaf samples. Within the Java region, six species of Piper were identified, namely P. betle, P. crocatum, P. retrofractum, P. sarmentosum, P. cubeba, and P. colubrinum. These species were found in both Bogor and Bogor Regency. In Sleman and Magelang, P. betle, P. crocatum, and P. retrofractum were present, while in Yogyakarta only P. betle and P. crocatum were found. Five species of Piper were infected by Badnavirus, except for P. colubrinum, which remained free from infection. This research was proven that Badnavirus has infected members of Piper spp. and has spread throughout the Java Region.