During 2009 and 2010, a survey was conducted in pepper crops to detect the
possible presence of Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) in Serbia. A total of
239 pepper samples from 39 crops at 26 localities were collected and analyzed
for the presence of PMMoV, Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Potato virus Y (PVY),
and Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV), using DAS-ELISA test. Although it was
detected in a small percentage, PMMoV could pose a threat to pepper
production in Serbia due to its rapid seed-borne spread. Presence of PMMoV
was confirmed by serological and biological detection, followed by
conventional reverse transcription RT-PCR, using primers specific for the
RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and the coat protein (CP) genes.
Molecular identification confirmed that the Serbian isolates belong to PMMoV
pathotypes P1,2 which do not break the resistance gene L3. Reconstructed
phylogenetic tree confirmed the allocation of the Serbian isolates together
with the majority of PMMoV isolates which belong to pathotypes P1,2. This
study represents the first serological and molecular characterization of
PMMoV infection of pepper in Serbia, and provides important data on the
population structure. The obtained data could have great influence on pepper
production in Serbia as well as future pepper resistance breeding in the
country.
Detection and molecular characterization of Pepper mild mottle virus in Serbia
