Natural infection of periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) withCucumber mosaic virus, subgroup IB

Abstract

This paper reports the characterisation of a naturally occurring Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) infection, causing mosaic, leaf distortion and stunting of periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus). The virus isolate showed wide host range, biophysical properties similar to CMV, isometric particles of 28 nm, capsid protein of 26 kDa, serological reaction with CMV-S and non-persistent transmission by aphids. The CP gene of the virus was amplified using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with CP-specific primers, cloned and sequenced (657 bp). Sequence analysis of the PCR product with other CMV isolates revealed the closest identity with Rauvolfia serpentina isolate of CMV (98%) and the phylogram revealed that CMV naturally infecting periwinkle belongs to subgroup IB.