Potato virus S (PVS) (genus Carlavirus, family Betaflexiviridae) is one of the most prevalent viruses in potato crops (Solanum tuberosum and S. phureja) around the world, causing reductions in crop yields between 10 and 20 %. Symptoms of PVS infection may include leaf mottling, rugosity of leaves, deepening of the veins and reductions in crop yields between 10 and 20 %. Virions are flexuous rods of 610-710 nm with a positive-sense ssRNA genome of approximately 8500 nt comprising six ORFs, a 5'CAP and a 3'poly-A tail. PVS has been classified into two groups: PVS(O) (Ordinary) and PVS(A) (Andean). PVSA induces severe symptoms in infected plants, such as premature senescence and defoliation, and is more efficiently transmitted by aphids than PVS(O). To date, only five PVS genomes have been completely sequenced, including those of three PVS(O) and two PVS(A) strains. Currently, there are no reports of complete PVS genome sequences from Andean South America. In this work, we present the complete genomic sequence of a novel PVS strain infecting S. phureja that is clearly distinct from currently known PVS isolates.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la actividad bioquímica in vitro con potencial biofertilizante en microorganismos rizosféricos de plantas de vainilla. Se realizó una confirmación fenotípica de la identidad taxonómica de los microorganismos más eficientes en las diferentes pruebas. Los aislamientos se llevaron a cabo durante el año 2011 en cultivos de vainilla bajo cobertizos de techo-sombra en el municipio de Sopetrán (Antioquia, Colombia). Los solubilizadores de fosfato inorgánico más efectivos correspondieron a dos bacterias, una del género Serratia y la otra identificada como Pseudomonas koreensis. Entre los microorganismos solubilizadores de fosfato orgánico el más eficiente fue el hongo Plectosphaerella cucumerina. Los celulolíticos más efectivos fueron los hongos Penicillium griseofulvum y Aspergillus fumigatus; por su alta actividad proteolítica/amonificante se identificaron las bacterias del complejo Bacillus cereus y Serratia sp. Finalmente, entre las bacterias asimbióticas fijadoras de nitrógeno tres cepas de Pseudomonas koreensis, crecieron rápida y abundantemente en el medio selectivo libre de nitrógeno. Para estas bacterias, mediante PCR específico se detectó, la presencia del gen NifH responsable de esta actividad metabólica. La diversidad funcional de los microorganismos encontrados, abre la posibilidad de ser empleados como biofertilizantes en el cultivo de vainilla.

Transcriptome analysis of chili and bell pepper samples from commercial plots in the municipalities of Santa Fe de Antioquia and El Peñol in the province of Antioquia revealed the presence of viral sequences with significant similarity to genomes of members of the genus Endornavirus. Assembly of the chili and bell pepper transcriptomes resulted in consensus sequences of 14,727 nt and 14,714 nt that were identified as Bell pepper endornavirus (BPEV). Both sequences were nearly identical by 99.9 % at both nucleotide and amino acid levels. The presence of BPEV was confirmed by RT-qPCR, RT-PCR and Sanger sequencing using RdRp-specific primers designed from the assembled sequences in ten independent random samples taken from the investigated bell pepper stands. The phylogenetic analysis of both BPEV variants and their affiliation within the genus Endornavirus is discussed. For our knowledge, this is the first study on this group of viruses in Colombia.

As part of an initiative to characterize viruses infecting Cape gooseberry in the province of Antioquia (Colombia), we report the genome sequence of a new member of the genus Ilarvirus (family Bromoviridae). This virus was identified in a Cape gooseberry plot in the municipality of Marinilla in a mixed infection with potato virus Y (PVY) as part of high-throughput sequencing initiative. Results were confirmed by nested RT-PCR and DAS-ELISA. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that the Cape gooseberry ilarvirus is a new member of subgroup 1 and it is most closely related to ageratum latent virus (AgLV). The name "Cape gooseberry ilarvirus 1" (CGIV-1) is proposed for this new ilarvirus.

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