Detection and Identification of Viruses Infecting Tamarillo from North Sumatra

Abstract

Tamarillo (Solanum betaceum) is a potential horticultural commodity. It is grown in some regions in Indonesia, including in the North Sumatera. Currently, no major diseases affecting this crop have been reported in Indonesia. This study aimed to detect and identify viruses infecting tamarillo from North Sumatera and to compare them with viruses infecting eggplants from Bogor, West Java. Detection was carried out using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or PCR with universal primers for potyvirus, polerovirus, and begomovirus, respectively as well as specific primers for cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). Further identification was conducted based on the nucleotide sequences. The detection and sequence analyses revealed that tamarillo was infected by tobacco vein distorting virus (TVDV) a member of genus Polerovirus and pepper yellow leaf curl Aceh virus (PepYLCAV) a member of genus Begomovirus. Meanwhile, eggplant was infected by tomato yellow leaf curl Kanchanaburi virus (TYLCKaV) another member of genus Begomovirus. These findings represent the first report of viruses infecting tamarillo in Indonesia.