Molecular and Metagenomic Analyses Reveal High Prevalence and Complexity of Viral Infections in French-American Hybrids and North American Grapes

Abstract

French-American hybrids and North American grape species play a significant role in Canada’s grape and wine industry. Unfortunately, the occurrence of viruses and viral diseases among these locally important non-vinifera grapes remains understudied. We report here the results from a large-scale survey to assess the prevalence of 14 viruses among 533 composite samples representing 2665 vines from seven French-American hybrid wine grape cultivars, two North American juice grape cultivars (Concord and Niagara), and the table grape cultivar Sovereign coronation. Based on reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays, ten viruses were detected. Grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus, grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3, grapevine Pinot gris virus and grapevine red blotch virus were detected with the highest frequency. As expected, mixed infections were common; 62% of the samples contained two or more viruses. Overall, hybrid wine grapes were infected with more viruses and a higher prevalence of individual viruses than juice and table grapes. To validate these findings and to refine the virome of these non-European grapes, high-throughput sequencing (HTS) analyses of five composite samples representing each category of grapevine cultivars was performed. Results from HTS agreed with those from RT-PCR. Importantly, Vidal, a widely grown white-wine grape with international recognition due to its use in the award-winning icewine, is host to 14 viruses, four of which comprise multiple and distinct genetic variants. This comprehensive survey represents the most extensive examination of viruses among French-American hybrids and North American grapes to date.