Biological and molecular characterization of chrysanthemum stem necrosis orthotospovirus infecting sweet pepper in Brazil

Abstract

This contribution describes biological and molecular features of an isolate of the chrysanthemum stem necrosis orthotospovirus (CSNV) found naturally infecting sweet pepper plants (Capsicum annuum L.). High-throughput sequencing resulted in three contig sequences of 2948, 4829 and 8959 nucleotides for CSNV-Ca small, medium and large RNAs, respectively. They shared 98.4%, 99.3% and 99.1% nucleotide identities, respectively, with the corresponding nucleotide sequences of a CSNV isolate from Slovenia. The virus was mechanically transmitted to sweet pepper and some additional test plants, and RT-PCR confirmed the infection with specific primers for CSNV. Additionally, transmission electron microscopic analysis of ultrathin sections prepared from symptomatic sweet pepper fruit tissue showed orthotospoviruses-like particles in elements of the endoplasmic reticulum. Studies are needed to evaluate the occurrence of CSNV infecting sweet pepper in commercial crops, to assess yield damage and develop recommendations for management.