Genome of a known but distinct begomovirus associated with a novel satellite molecule infecting a new host bitter gourd (Momordica charantia)

Abstract

Coccinia mosaic Virdhunagar virus (KY860899), Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (KY860898) and Tomato leaf curl Virdhunagar alphasatellite (KY848691) were found to be associated with leaf curl disease in Momordica charantia (bitter gourd). The complete nucleotide sequence of Coccinia mosaic Virdhunagar virus showed 82% identity with Coccinia mosaic Tamil Nadu virus (KM244719), whereas Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus was 96% identical to Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (KP868764) and Tomato leaf curl Virdhunagar alphasatellite illustrated 81% similarity with Tomato leaf curl New Delhi alphasatellite (JQ041697). Phylogenetic and RDP analysis revealed the proximity of these begomoviruses with other monopartite begomoviruses and alphasatellites already reported from India. As per the threshold criteria laid down by International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses for species demarcation in begomoviruses and satellite molecules, the identified virus isolates, Coccinia mosaic Virdhunagar virus and Tomato leaf curl Virdhunagar alphasatellite are proposed as new species. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first ever account of mixed infection of begomoviruses in Momordica charantia, a vegetable crop commonly cultivated throughout India.