A Severe Disease of Tomato in the Culiacan Area (Sinaloa, Mexico) Is Caused by a New Picorna-Like Viral Species

Viruses of Economic Impact on Tomato Crops in Mexico: From Diagnosis to Management-A Review

Tomato is the most economically important vegetable crop worldwide and the second most important for Mexico. However, viral diseases are among the main limiting factors that affect the productivity of this crop, causing total losses in some cases. This review provides key information and findings on the symptoms, distribution, transmission, detection, and management of diseases caused by viruses of major importance in tomato crops in Mexico. Currently, about 25 viruses belonging to nine different families have been reported infecting tomato in Mexico, but not all of them cause economically significant diseases. Viruses of economic importance include tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV), tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), pepino mosaic virus (PepMV), and tomato marchitez virus (ToMarV). The topics discussed here will provide updated information about the status of these plant viruses in Mexico as well as diverse management strategies that can be implemented according to the specific circumstances of each viral pathosystem. Additionally, a list of tomato-affecting viruses not present in Mexico that are continuous threats to the crop health is included.

Detection of Four New Tomato Viruses in Serbia Using Post Hoc High-Throughput Sequencing Analysis of Samples From a Large-Scale Field Survey

Tomato production worldwide is affected by numerous plant virus species. The early and accurate detection of viruses is a critical step for disease control. However, the simultaneous detection of the most known tomato viruses can be difficult because of the high number and diversity of tomato-infecting viruses. Here, we have identified four new viruses in Serbia by applying target-independent small RNA high-throughput sequencing (HTS). HTS was applied on pools of samples and separate samples, in total comprising 30 tomato samples that exhibited (severe) virus-like symptoms and were collected in Serbia during three annual surveys (2011 to 2013). These samples had previously tested negative for the presence of 16 tomato viruses using targeted detection methods. Three divergent complete genome sequences of Physostegia chlorotic mottled virus were obtained from different localities, indicating for the first time that this virus is widespread in Serbia and might represent an emergent viral pathogen of tomato. The tomato torrado virus was detected at one locality with devastating yield losses. The southern tomato virus was detected at two localities, and the spinach latent virus was detected at one locality. In addition, we detected the presence of one already-known virus in Serbia, the tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus. All the HTS results were subsequently confirmed by targeted detection methods. In this study, the successful application of post hoc HTS testing of a limited number of pooled samples resulted in the discovery of new viruses. Thus, our results encourage the use of HTS in research and diagnostic laboratories, including laboratories that have limited resources to resolve disease etiology.[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

RNA2-encoded VP37 protein of Broad bean wilt virus 1 is a determinant of pathogenicity, host susceptibility, and a suppressor of post-transcriptional gene silencing

Broad bean wilt virus 1 (BBWV-1, genus Fabavirus, family Secoviridae) is a bipartite, single-stranded positive-sense RNA virus infecting many horticultural and ornamental crops worldwide. RNA1 encodes proteins involved in viral replication whereas RNA2 encodes two coat proteins (the large and small coat proteins) and two putative movement proteins (MPs) of different sizes with overlapping C-terminal regions. In this work, we determined the role played by the small putative BBWV-1 MP (VP37) on virus pathogenicity, host specificity, and suppression of post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS). We engineered a BBWV-1 35S-driven full-length cDNA infectious clone corresponding to BBWV-1 RNA1 and RNA2 (pBBWV1-Wt) and generated a mutant knocking out VP37 (pBBWV1-G492C). Agroinfiltration assays showed that pBBWV1-Wt, as the original BBWV-1 isolate, infected broad bean, tomato, pepper, and Nicotiana benthamiana, whereas pBBWV1-G492C did not infect pepper and tomato systemically. Also, pBBWV1-G492C induced milder symptoms in broad bean and N. benthamiana than pBBWV1-Wt. Differential retrotranscription and amplification of the (+) and (-) strands showed that pBBWV1-G492C replicated in the agroinfiltrated leaves of pepper but not in tomato. All this suggests that VP37 is a determinant of pathogenicity and host specificity. Transient expression of VP37 through a potato virus X (PVX) vector enhanced PVX symptoms and induced systemic necrosis associated with programmed cell death in N. benthamiana plants. Finally, VP37 was identified as a viral suppressor of RNA silencing by transient expression in N. benthamiana 16c plants and movement complementation of a viral construct based on turnip crinkle virus (pTCV-GFP).

The Torradovirus-specific RNA2-ORF1 protein is necessary for plant systemic infection

Tomato apex necrosis virus (ToANV, species Tomato marchitez virus, genus Torradovirus, family Secoviridae) causes a severe tomato disease in Mexico. One distinctive feature of torradoviruses compared with other members of the family Secoviridae is the presence of an additional open reading frame (ORF) in genomic RNA2 (denominated RNA2-ORF1), located upstream of ORF2. RNA2-ORF2 encodes a polyprotein that is processed into a putative movement protein and three capsid proteins (CPs). The RNA2-ORF1 protein has homologues only amongst other torradoviruses and, so far, no function has been associated with it. We used recombinant and mutant ToANV clones to investigate the role of the RNA2-ORF1 protein in various aspects of the virus infection cycle. The lack of a functional RNA2-ORF1 resulted in an inability to systemically infect Nicotiana benthamiana and tomato plants, but both positive- and negative-strand RNA1 and RNA2 accumulated locally in agroinfiltrated areas in N. benthamiana plants, indicating that the RNA2-ORF1 mutants were replication competent. Furthermore, a mutant with a deletion in RNA2-ORF1 was competent for virion formation and cell-to-cell movement in the cells immediately surrounding the initial infection site. However, immunological detection of the ToANV CPs in the agroinfiltrated areas showed that this mutant was not detected in the sieve elements even if the surrounding parenchymatic cells were ToANV positive, suggesting a role for the RNA2-ORF1 protein in processes occurring prior to phloem uploading, including efficient spread in inoculated leaves.

Aphid transmission of Lettuce necrotic leaf curl virus, a member of a tentative new subgroup within the genus Torradovirus

Lettuce necrotic leaf curl virus (LNLCV) was described as the first non-tomato-infecting member of the genus Torradovirus. Until today, the virus was found only in The Netherlands in two different areas in open field crops of lettuce. In 2015, LNLCV was accepted by the ICTV as a new member of the genus Torradovirus. The tomato-infecting (TI) torradoviruses Tomato torrado virus (ToTV), Tomato marchitez virus (ToMarV) and Tomato chocolàte virus (ToChV) are transmitted by at least three whitefly species in a semi-persistent and stylet-borne manner. As LNLCV was transmitted in open fields in The Netherlands, where whiteflies are present only in low incidence, transmission studies were set up to identify the natural vector of LNLCV. Whitefly species which survive Dutch open field conditions during summer, as well as lettuce colonizing aphid species, were tested for their ability to transmit LNLCV. Lengths of acquisition and inoculation periods were chosen in accordance with the conditions for TI torradoviruses. Transmission experiments involving whiteflies were never successful. Transmission with aphids was only successful in case of the lettuce-currant aphid, Nasonovia ribisnigri. Localization of LNLCV virions in N. ribisnigri with a nested RT-PCR indicated the stylets as possible retention sites. The willow-carrot aphid Cavariella aegopodii did not transmit LNLCV in our transmission experiment but the virus could be detected in the stylets of this aphid, leaving C. aegopodii as a possible vector for LNLCV.

Genome sequence, prevalence and quantification of the first iflavirus identified in a phytoplasma insect vector

The leafhopper Euscelidius variegatus is a natural vector of chrysanthemum yellows phytoplasma (CY) and an efficient vector of flavescence dorée phytoplasma (FD) under laboratory conditions. During a transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) project aimed at investigating the interactions between the insect and the two phytoplasmas, a 10,616-nucleotide-long contig with high sequence similarity to known picorna-like viruses was identified among the assembled insect transcripts. The discovery came totally unexpected, because insects from the laboratory colony did not show any evident symptom that could be related to the presence of a virus. The amino acid sequence, the shape and size of viral particles, and the results of phylogenetic analysis suggest that this virus, named Euscelidius variegatus virus 1 (EVV-1), can be considered a new member of a new species in the genus Iflavirus. EVV-1 was detected in all of the tested insects from the laboratory colony used for RNA-seq, both in phytoplasma-exposed and in non-exposed insects, but the viral load measured in FD-exposed samples was significantly lower than that in non-exposed insects. This result suggests the possible existence of an intriguing cross-talk among insects, endogenous bacteria, and viruses. The identification of two other E. variegatus laboratory colonies that were free of EVV-1 could represent the key to addressing some basic virological issues, e.g., viral replication and transmission mechanisms, and offer the opportunity to use infectious clones to express heterologous genes in the leafhopper and manipulate the expression of endogenous genes by promoting virus-induced gene silencing.

One-step reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) for detection of tomato torrado virus

'Torrado' disease caused by tomato torrado virus (ToTV) is responsible for considerable losses in tomato production. Therefore, a one-step reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification protocol for early and fast detection of ToTV isolates has been developed. The RNA extracted from ToTV-infected plants was tested using this protocol with a set of six primers specific for the Vp35 coat protein gene sequence. The amplified products were analyzed using amplification curves, electrophoresis, and direct staining of DNA. The sensitivity of the protocol was tenfold higher than that of conventional RT-PCR. This new protocol is inexpensive, rapid, simple, and very sensitive.

RNA1-Independent Replication and GFP Expression from Tomato marchitez virus Isolate M Cloned cDNA

Tomato marchitez virus (ToMarV; synonymous with Tomato apex necrosis virus) is a positive-strand RNA virus in the genus Torradovirus within the family Secoviridae. ToMarV is an emergent whitefly-transmitted virus that causes important diseases in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) in Mexico. Here, the genome sequence of the ToMarV isolate M (ToMarV-M) was determined. We engineered full-length cDNA clones of the ToMarV-M genomic RNA (RNA1 and RNA2), separately, into a binary vector. Coinfiltration of both triggered systemic infections in Nicotiana benthamiana, tomato, and tomatillo (Physalis philadelphica) plants and recapitulated the biological activity of the wild-type virus. The viral progeny generated from tomato and tomatillo plants were transmissible by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci biotype B. Also, we assessed whether these infectious clones could be used for screening tomato cultivars for resistance to ToMarV and our results allowed us to differentiate resistant and susceptible tomato lines. We demonstrated that RNA1 of ToMarV-M is required for the replication of RNA2, and it can replicate independently of RNA2. From this, ToMarV-M RNA2 was used to express the green fluorescent protein in N. benthamiana plants, which allowed us to track cell-to-cell movement. The construction of full-length infectious cDNA clones of ToMarV-M provides an excellent tool to investigate virus-host-vector interactions and elucidate the functions of torradovirus-encoded proteins or the mechanisms of replication of torradovirus genomic RNA.

Multiple approaches for the detection and characterization of viral and plasmid symbionts from a collection of marine fungi

The number of reported mycoviruses is increasing exponentially due to the current ability to detect mycoviruses using next-generation sequencing (NGS) approaches, with a large number of viral genomes built in-silico using data from fungal transcriptome projects. We decided to screen a collection of fungi originating from a specific marine environment (associated with the seagrass Posidonia oceanica) for the presence of mycoviruses: our findings reveal a wealth of diversity among these symbionts and this complexity will require further studies to address their specific role in this ecological niche. In specific, we identified twelve new virus species belonging to nine distinct lineages: they are members of megabirnavirus, totivirus, chrysovirus, partitivirus and five still undefined clades. We showed evidence of an endogenized virus ORF, and evidence of accumulation of dsRNA from metaviridae retroviral elements. We applied different techniques for detecting the presence of mycoviruses including (i) dsRNA extraction and cDNA cloning, (ii) small and total RNA sequencing through NGS techniques, (iii) rolling circle amplification (RCA) and total DNA extraction analyses, (iv) virus purifications and electron microscopy. We tried also to critically evaluate the intrinsic value and limitations of each of these techniques. Based on the samples we could compare directly, RNAseq analysis is superior to sRNA for de novo assembly of mycoviruses. To our knowledge this is the first report on the virome of fungi isolated from marine environment. The GenBank/eMBL/DDBJ accession numbers of the sequences reported in this paper are: KT601099-KT601110; KT601114-KT601120; KT592305; KT950836-KT950841.

Torradoviruses

Torradoviruses are an example of a group of recently discovered plant viruses. The first description of Tomato torrado virus, now the type member of the newly established genus Torradovirus within the family Secoviridae, was published in 2007 and was quickly followed by findings of other torradoviruses, initially all on tomato. Their characterization led to the development of tools that allowed recognition of still other torradoviruses, only very recently found on non-tomato crops, which indicates these viruses have a much wider host range and diversity than previously believed. This review describes the characteristics of this newly emerged group of plant viruses. It looks in detail at taxonomic relationships and specific characteristics in their genomes and encoded proteins. Furthermore, it discusses their epidemiology, including host range, semipersistent transmission by whitefly vectors, and impact on diverse cropping systems.

Detection and absolute quantitation of Tomato torrado virus (ToTV) by real time RT-PCR

Tomato torrado virus (ToTV) causes serious damage to the tomato industry and significant economic losses. A quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) method using primers and a specific TaqMan(®) MGB probe for ToTV was developed for sensitive detection and quantitation of different ToTV isolates. A standard curve using RNA transcripts enabled absolute quantitation, with a dynamic range from 10(4) to 10(10) ToTV RNA copies/ng of total RNA. The specificity of the RT-qPCR was tested with twenty-three ToTV isolates from tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), and black nightshade (Solanum nigrum L.) collected in Spain, Australia, Hungary and France, which covered the genetic variation range of this virus. This new RT-qPCR assay enables a reproducible, sensitive and specific detection and quantitation of ToTV, which can be a valuable tool in disease management programs and epidemiological studies.

Complete genome sequence of motherwort yellow mottle virus, a novel putative member of the genus Torradovirus

The complete genome sequence of a new virus isolated from a motherwort plant exhibiting yellow mottle, mild mosaic, and stunting symptoms in Andong, Korea, was determined. The genome of this virus is composed of two single-stranded RNAs (7068 and 4963 nucleotides in length, respectively) carrying poly(A) tails. RNA1 contains one large open reading frame (RNA1-ORF1), while two potential ORFs (RNA2-ORF1 and RNA2-ORF2) were found in RNA2. BLAST searches of protein databases showed that RNA1-ORF1 and RNA2-ORF2 have maximum amino acid sequence identities of 53 % and 57 % to the RNA1-ORF1 and RNA2-ORF2, respectively, of lettuce necrotic leaf curl virus (LNLCV, a recently identified torradovirus). Phylogenetic analysis provided further evidence that the virus identified in this study is probably a member of a new species in the genus Torradovirus. The name "motherwort yellow mottle virus" (MYMoV) is proposed for this new virus.

Two generic PCR primer sets for the detection of members of the genus Torradovirus

Two degenerate primer pairs were designed for the universal detection of members of the genus Torradovirus. Primer pair Torrado-1F/Torrado-1R was designed based on the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase region located in RNA1 and primer pair Torrado-2F/Torrado-2R based on a region overlapping the two first coat proteins Vp35 and Vp26 in RNA2. The primers were used in two-step and one-step RT-PCR protocols. Both primer pairs were able to detect 14 out of 15 isolates belonging to the two torradovirus species Tomato torrado virus (ToTV) and Tomato marchitez virus (ToMarV) and the two tentative species Tomato chocolate spot virus (ToChSV) and Tomato chocolàte virus (ToChV). Due to poor sample quality, one isolate of ToTV was detected with primer pair Torrado-2F/Torrado-2R and not with primer pair Torrado-1F/Torrado-1R, suggesting that the latter primer pair was less sensitive. Nevertheless, both primer pairs proved to be suitable for the universal RT-PCR detection of torradoviruses and can be deployed for the detection of all currently known torradoviruses and possibly for the detection of new members of this group.

Pepino mosaic virus and Tomato torrado virus: two emerging viruses affecting tomato crops in the Mediterranean basin

The molecular biology, epidemiology, and evolutionary dynamics of Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) are much better understood than those of Tomato torrado virus (ToTV). The earliest descriptions of PepMV suggest a recent jump from nontomato species (e.g., pepino; Solanum muricatum) to tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Its stability in contaminated plant tissues, its transmission through seeds, and the global trade of tomato seeds and fruits may have facilitated the global spread of PepMV. Stability and seed transmission also probably account for the devastating epidemics caused by already-established PepMV strains, although additional contributing factors may include the efficient transmission of PepMV by contact and the often-inconspicuous symptoms in vegetative tomato tissues. The genetic variability of PepMV is likely to have promoted the first phase of emergence (i.e., the species jump) and it continues to play an important role as the virus becomes more pervasive, progressing from regional outbreaks to pandemics. In contrast, the long-term progression of ToTV outbreaks is not yet clear and this may reflect factors such as the limited accumulation of the virus in infected plants, which has been shown to be approximately two orders of magnitude less than PepMV. The efficient dispersion of ToTV may therefore depend on dense populations of its principal vectors, Bemisia tabaci and Trialeurodes vaporariorum, as has been proposed for the necrogenic satellite RNA of Cucumber mosaic virus.

Major tomato viruses in the Mediterranean basin

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) originated in South America and was brought to Europe by the Spaniards in the sixteenth century following their colonization of Mexico. From Europe, tomato was introduced to North America in the eighteenth century. Tomato plants show a wide climatic tolerance and are grown in both tropical and temperate regions around the world. The climatic conditions in the Mediterranean basin favor tomato cultivation, where it is traditionally produced as an open-field plant. However, viral diseases are responsible for heavy yield losses and are one of the reasons that tomato production has shifted to greenhouses. The major tomato viruses endemic to the Mediterranean basin are described in this chapter. These viruses include Tomato yellow leaf curl virus, Tomato torrado virus, Tomato spotted wilt virus, Tomato infectious chlorosis virus, Tomato chlorosis virus, Pepino mosaic virus, and a few minor viruses as well.

Emerging virus diseases transmitted by whiteflies

Virus diseases that have emerged in the past two decades limit the production of important vegetable crops in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions worldwide, and many of the causal viruses are transmitted by whiteflies (order Hemiptera, family Aleyrodidae). Most of these whitefly-transmitted viruses are begomoviruses (family Geminiviridae), although whiteflies are also vectors of criniviruses, ipomoviruses, torradoviruses, and some carlaviruses. Factors driving the emergence and establishment of whitefly-transmitted diseases include genetic changes in the virus through mutation and recombination, changes in the vector populations coupled with polyphagy of the main vector, Bemisia tabaci, and long distance traffic of plant material or vector insects due to trade of vegetables and ornamental plants. The role of humans in increasing the emergence of virus diseases is obvious, and the effect that climate change may have in the future is unclear.

Tomato chocolate spot virus, a member of a new torradovirus species that causes a necrosis-associated disease of tomato in Guatemala

Tomatoes in Guatemala have been affected by a new disease, locally known as "mancha de chocolate" (chocolate spot). The disease is characterized by distinct necrotic spots on leaves, stems and petioles that eventually expand and cause a dieback of apical tissues. Samples from symptomatic plants tested negative for infection by tomato spotted wilt virus, tobacco streak virus, tobacco etch virus and other known tomato-infecting viruses. A virus-like agent was sap-transmitted from diseased tissue to Nicotiana benthamiana and, when graft-transmitted to tomato, this agent induced chocolate spot symptoms. This virus-like agent also was sap-transmitted to Datura stramonium and Nicotiana glutinosa, but not to a range of non-solanaceous indicator plants. Icosahedral virions approximately 28-30 nm in diameter were purified from symptomatic N. benthamiana plants. When rub-inoculated onto leaves of N. benthamiana plants, these virions induced symptoms indistinguishable from those in N. benthamiana plants infected with the sap-transmissible virus associated with chocolate spot disease. Tomatoes inoculated with sap or grafted with shoots from N. benthamiana plants infected with purified virions developed typical chocolate spot symptoms, consistent with this virus being the causal agent of the disease. Analysis of nucleic acids associated with purified virions of the chocolate-spot-associated virus, revealed a genome composed of two single-stranded RNAs of approximately 7.5 and approximately 5.1 kb. Sequence analysis of these RNAs revealed a genome organization similar to recently described torradoviruses, a new group of picorna-like viruses causing necrosis-associated diseases of tomatoes in Europe [tomato torrado virus (ToTV)] and Mexico [tomato apex necrosis virus (ToANV) and tomato marchitez virus (ToMarV)]. Thus, the approximately 7.5 kb and approximately 5.1 kb RNAs of the chocolate-spot-associated virus corresponded to the torradovirus RNA1 and RNA2, respectively; however, sequence comparisons revealed 64-83% identities with RNA1 and RNA2 sequences of ToTV, ToANV and ToMarV. Together, these results indicate that the chocolate-spot-associated virus is a member of a distinct torradovirus species and, thus, another member of the recently established genus Torradovirus in the family Secoviridae. The name tomato chocolate spot virus is proposed.

Emerging viral diseases of tomato crops

Viral diseases are an important limiting factor in many crop production systems. Because antiviral products are not available, control strategies rely on genetic resistance or hygienic measures to prevent viral diseases, or on eradication of diseased crops to control such diseases. Increasing international travel and trade of plant materials enhances the risk of introducing new viruses and their vectors into production systems. In addition, changing climate conditions can contribute to a successful spread of newly introduced viruses or their vectors and establishment of these organisms in areas that were previously unfavorable. Tomato is economically the most important vegetable crop worldwide and many viruses infecting tomato have been described, while new viral diseases keep emerging. Pepino mosaic virus is a rapidly emerging virus which has established itself as one of the most important viral diseases in tomato production worldwide over recent years. Begomovirus species and other whitefly-transmitted viruses are invading into new areas, and several recently described new viruses such as Tomato torrado virus and new Tospovirus species are rapidly spreading over large geographic areas. In this article, emerging viruses of tomato crops are discussed.

Tomato chocolàte virus: a new plant virus infecting tomato and a proposed member of the genus Torradovirus

A new virus was isolated from a tomato plant from Guatemala showing necrotic spots on the bases of the leaves and chocolate-brown patches on the fruits. Structural and molecular analysis showed the virus to be clearly related to but distinct from the recently described Tomato torrado virus (ToTV) and Tomato marchitez virus (ToMarV), both members of the genus Torradovirus. The name tomato chocolàte virus is proposed for this new torradovirus.

A New Tospovirus sp. in Cucurbit Crops in Mexico

During the 2007 growing season, melon (Cucumis melo) samples from the state of Guerrero in Mexico showing mosaic and other virus-like symptoms were collected for analysis. Electron microscopic examination of negatively stained leaf-dip extracts revealed the presence of abundant virus-like particles with features characteristic of the family Bunyaviridae. No other viral particles were observed in these preparations. However, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) specific for the most common Tospovirus spp. gave negative results. Antibodies raised against purified nucleocapsids reacted specifically with the infected leaf extracts in Western blots and double-antibody sandwich ELISA. The viral RNA was used as a template for a cDNA library, and nucleotide sequence analysis identified cloned cDNAs representing sequences corresponding to the three Tospovirus genome segments. Sequence comparisons showed that the new virus had the highest similarity to Chrysanthemum stem necrosis virus (CSNV). Phylogenetic analysis of two genome regions confirmed that this virus, provisionally named Melon severe mosaic virus (MeSMV), is a previously undescribed Tospovirus sp. belonging to the "new world" clade of Tospovirus spp. An initial survey of various cucurbit crops in various states of Mexico confirmed the widespread occurrence of this virus.

Southern tomato virus: The link between the families Totiviridae and Partitiviridae

A dsRNA virus with a genome of 3.5 kb was isolated from field and greenhouse-grown tomato plants of different cultivars and geographic locations in North America. Cloning and sequencing of the viral genome showed the presence of two partially overlapping open reading frames (ORFs), and a genomic organization resembling members of the family Totiviridae that comprises fungal and protozoan viruses, but not plant viruses. The 5'-proximal ORF codes for a 377 amino acid-long protein of unknown function, whereas the product of ORF2 contains typical motifs of an RNA-dependant RNA-polymerase and is likely expressed by a +1 ribosomal frame shift. Despite the similarity in the genome organization with members of the family Totiviridae, this virus shared very limited sequence homology with known totiviruses or with other viruses. Repeated attempts to detect the presence of an endophytic fungus as the possible host of the virus failed, supporting its phytoviral nature. The virus was efficiently transmitted by seed but not mechanically and/or by grafting. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that this virus, for which the name Southern tomato virus (STV) is proposed, belongs to a partitivirus-like lineage and represents a species of a new taxon of plant viruses.