Characterization of a Cucumber mosaic virus Isolate Infecting Mandevilla sanderi (Hemsl.) Woodson

Abstract

In 2004, virus-like symptoms consisting of yellow rings in older leaves were observed in the foliage of Mandevilla sanderi grown from shoots in the province of Catania (Sicily, Italy). The plants were tested for virus presence using DAS-ELISA, mechanical inoculations to the host, RT-PCR and SSCP. Serological tests detected Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) in all symptomatic leaf samples. The virus was mechanically transmitted to 11 of the 15 host species tested, including some of the Chenopodiaceae and Solanaceae families; indicator plants showed symptoms typical of CMV subgroup I. RT-PCR, SSCP and cloning were employed to characterize this CMV isolate, and to make clear its genetic relationship with selected CMV-isolates from other countries. From this analysis, CMV-M. sanderi appeared closely related to AY153419 (CMV-PIM-SP-BR; subgroup IA) (nucleotide identities higher than 98%) from Brazil. The virus was transmitted by sap inoculation to healthy M. sanderi plants. As far as we know this is the first report of virus infection in M. sanderi and it then appears that this ornamental shrub is a new natural host of CMV.