Molecular characterization of p31 gene of Beet necrotic yellow vein virus isolates in sugar beet production areas of Turkey

Abstract

Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV), which is known as "the agent of rhizomania disease" and transmitted by Polymyxa betae, is the most destructive and prevalent virus species in sugar beet fields in Turkey and in the world. In this study, seventeen BNYVV-infested soil samples were selected according to their geographic locations. Firstly, BNYVV was propogated as bait plant technique. 
 P31 protein encoded by BNYVV RNA-4 is associated with efficient vector transmission and virulence. In this study, nucleotide sequences of p31 coding region of 12 different isolates were obtained. The BLAST and phylogenetic analysis divided BNYVV isolates into two different p31 groups as Group II and Group III. The Group II consisted of IGR-6, IGR-9 and ERC-52 isolates and found to have high nucleotide identity with Kas2 isolate (99.76%-99.88%). Also, GZP-27, ELZ-44, SMS-61, EDR-125, BRS-148, CNK-150, KAS-281, KYS-524 and ANK-617 which were divided into Group III had the highest similarity (99.88%-100%) with IV isolate (Italy).