Discovery, Genomic Sequence Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of Novel RNA Viruses in the Turfgrass Pathogenic spp. in Japan.

Turfgrass used in various areas of the golf course has been found to present anthracnose disease, which is caused by spp. To obtain potential biological agents, we identified four novel RNA viruses and obtained full-length viral genomes from turfgrass pathogenic spp. in Japan. We characterized two novel dsRNA partitiviruses: Colletotrichum associated partitivirus 1 (CaPV1) and Colletotrichum associated partitivirus 2 (CaPV2), as well as two negative single-stranded (ss) RNA viruses: Colletotrichum associated negative-stranded RNA virus 1 (CaNSRV1) and Colletotrichum associated negative-stranded RNA virus 2 (CaNSRV2). Using specific RT-PCR assays, we confirmed the presence of CaPV1, CaPV2 and CaNSRV1 in dsRNAs from original and sub-isolates of sp. MBCT-264, as well as CaNSRV2 in dsRNAs from original and sub-isolates of sp. MBCT-288. This is the first time mycoviruses have been discovered in turfgrass pathogenic spp. in Japan. CaPV1 and CaPV2 are new members of the newly proposed genus "Zetapartitivirus" and genus , respectively, in the family , according to genomic characterization and phylogenetic analysis. Negative sense ssRNA viruses CaNSRV1 and CaNSRV2, on the other hand, are new members of the family and the proposed family "Mycoaspirividae", respectively. These findings reveal previously unknown RNA virus diversity and evolution in turfgrass pathogenic spp.