Phylogrouping and pathogrouping of Potato virus Y isolates from pepper plants in Turkey

Abstract

Potato virus Y(PVY) causes yield loss of pepper (Capsicum) crops worldwide, but little is known of its molecular diversity in pepper in Turkey or elsewhere. During 2016 and 2017, pepper crops were surveyed in three different provinces of Turkey, and plants with virus-like symptoms were collected. Four hundred and twenty one samples were collected and 35 found to be infected with PVY by DAS-ELISA using PVY-specific antisera. The positive samples were tested by RT-PCR and viral genes of some were sequenced. Two schemes, and mixtures thereof, are currently used for grouping and naming isolates of PVY. Eight of the pepper isolates were probably from phylogroup C, and three from pathogroup N-Wi, which is part of recombinant phylogroup R1. We discuss the theory and practice of grouping PVY isolates. This is the first report of recombinant PVY isolates in pepper plants in Turkey.