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Four of 19 Prunus germplasm accessions hand carried from the Ukraine into the United States without authorization were found to be infected with Plum pox virus (PPV). Of the three isolates characterized, isolates UKR 44189 and UKR 44191 were confirmed to be isolates of PPV strain W, and UKR 44188 was confirmed to be an isolate of PPV strain D. UKR 44189 and UKR 44191 are very closely related to the PPV strain W isolate LV-145bt (HQ670748) from Latvia. Nucleotide and amino acid sequence identities between these three isolates were greater than 99%. This indicates that the isolates are very closely related and likely originated from a common source. The high genetic diversity among PPV-W strain isolates allowed the identification of potential recombination events between PPV isolates. It appears also that GF 305 peach and Prunus tomentosa are not hosts for the PPV isolate UKR 44189.

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The presence of Gooseberry vein banding associated virus (GVBaV), a badnavirus in the family Caulimoviridae, is strongly correlated with gooseberry vein banding disease in Ribes spp. In this study, full-length genomic sequences of four GVBaV isolates from different hosts and geographic regions were determined to be 7649-7663 nucleotides. These isolates share identities of 96.4-97.3% for the complete genomic sequence, indicating low genetic diversity among them. The GVBaV genome contains three open reading frames (ORFs) on the plus strand that potentially encode proteins of 26, 16, and 216 kDa. The size and organization of GVBaV ORFs 1-3 are similar to those of most other badnaviruses. The putative amino acid sequence of GVBaV ORF 3 contained motifs that are conserved among badnavirus proteins including aspartic protease, reverse transcriptase, and ribonuclease H. The highly conserved putative plant tRNA(met)-binding site is also present in the 935-bp intergenic region of GVBaV. The identities of the genomic sequences of GVBaV and other badnaviruses range from 49.1% (Sugarcane bacilliform Mor virus) to 51.7% (Pelargonium vein banding virus, PVBV). Phylogenetic analysis using the amino acid sequence of the ORF 3 putative protein shows that GVBaV groups most closely to Dioscorea bacilliform virus, PVBV, and Taro bacilliform virus. These results confirm that GVBaV is a pararetrovirus of the genus Badnavirus in the family Caulimoviridae.

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A simple and sensitive dot blot hybridization assay using a digoxigenin-labeled cRNA polyprobe was developed for the simultaneous detection of six viroids that infect pome and stone fruit trees. The polyprobe was constructed by cloning sequentially partial sequences of each viroid into a single vector, with run-off transcription driven by the T7 promoter. All six viroids were detectable within a dilution range of 5(-3) to 5(-4) in total nucleic acid extracts from infected trees. Individual trees were co-inoculated to create mixed infections and all four pome fruit viroids and both stone fruit viroids could be detected in pear and peach trees, respectively, using the polyprobe. The results of the assays using the polyprobe were comparable to those using single probes. The methods were validated by testing geographically diverse isolates of viroids, as well as field samples from several collections in the US. The assay offers a rapid, reliable and cost-effective approach to the simultaneous detection of six fruit trees viroids and has the potential for routine use in quarantine, certification, and plant genebank programs where many samples are tested and distributed worldwide.

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A one-step reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) procedure was developed to detect Cherry green ring mottle virus (CGRMV) and Cherry necrotic rusty mottle virus (CNRMV) in woody indicators and naturally infected Prunus spp. Viral RNA suitable for RT-PCR was obtained by a simple trapping method that did not require either extraction of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) or total RNA, availability of virus antibodies, or purification of viral particles. Consensus primers, degenerate primers and virus-specific primers, whose designs were based on alignments of available cherry flexivirus sequences, were tested to amplify viral genomic fragments of six CGRMV isolates and one CNRMV isolate. RT-PCR allowed CGRMV detection in total RNA and viral RNA preparations equivalent to 400mug and 4mug of infected leaf tissue, respectively. CGRMV was detected in tender shoots, leaves, bark and root tips, and the strongest bands were obtained using young leaves. Detection was less consistent in summer when the temperature was elevated and plant tissues were old. A direct comparison of the RT-PCR and grafting assays indicated that the RT-PCR assay is sensitive, rapid and reliable. The method will improve the routine diagnosis of cherry flexiviruses in Prunus spp.

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Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were evaluated for use on a routine basis in a quarantine program to detect phytoplasmas in dormant fruit tree scionwood collected during the winter season. Phytoplasmas associated with peach yellow leaf roll, Western X, apricot chlorotic leaf roll, plum leptonecrosis, and apple proliferation diseases were detected in all known infected sources. Phytoplasmas in Prunus spp. were readily detected in both dormant bud and internodal tissues. Use of nested PCR versus a single primer pair resulted in electrophoresed PCR products that were easier to interpret. The nested PCR procedure has replaced 3-year tests with grafts on sensitive indicators to detect this group of pathogens.