Characterization, detection, and prevalence of a novel strawberry crinivirus.

A new crinivirus, hereafter referred to as strawberry Kurdistan virus (SKV), has been identified using high-throughput sequencing. The 16,553-nucleotide genome is divided into two RNA segments and exhibits 44-56% nucleotide identity with other criniviruses. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that SKV is a member of the Crinivirus group 2.

Engineering a robust infectious clone and gene silencing vector from blackberry yellow vein associated virus.

Criniviruses are emerging pathogens responsible for significant disease outbreaks worldwide. Among them, blackberry yellow vein-associated virus (BYVaV) is prevalent in blackberry-producing areas of the United States and, when present in the blackberry yellow vein disease complex with other viruses, can lead to substantial crop losses. To better understand BYVaV biology and its role in virus complex disease development, we developed a BYVaV-derived infectious clone and a virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) vector.

Development and application of an infectious clone and gene silencing vector derived from blackberry chlorotic ringspot virus.

Blackberry chlorotic ringspot virus (BCRV) was described about 20 years ago and since then there have been several publications of the virus infecting rosaceous hosts including blackberry, raspberry, rose and apple at high rates. Still the effect of the virus on disease development is poorly understood. Aiming to bridge this knowledge gap, we developed a BCRV infectious clone and virus-induced gene silencing vector (VIGS).

Phyllocoptes parviflori is a distinct species and a vector of the pervasive blackberry leaf mottle associated virus.

Several viruses are transmitted by eriophyid mites (Acariformes: Eriophyoidea) including blackberry leaf mottle-associated emaravirus (BLMaV) (Emaravirus rubi). BLMaV is transmitted by an unidentified eriophyid species and is involved in blackberry yellow vein, a devastating disease in the southeastern United States. In this study, we assessed the eriophyid mite Phylocoptes parviflori as a vector of BLMaV and clarified its taxonomic status as it was previously synonymized with Phyllocoptes gracilis.

Genomic analyses of a widespread blueberry virus in the United States.

Screening of blueberry accessions using high throughput sequencing revealed the presence of a new virus. Genomic structure and sequence are similar to that of nectarine stem pitting associated virus (NSPaV), a member of the genus Luteovirus, family Tombusviridae. The full genome of the new luteovirus, tentatively named blueberry virus L (BlVL), was characterized and analyzed.