Molecular characterization of Chilli leaf curl viruses infecting new host plant Petunia hybrida in India

Petunia hybrida is an important ornamental plant grown in many countries including India. It is a good model plant for the study of genetics and molecular biology. During a survey in 2013-2014, severe leaf curling was observed on most of the P. hybrida grown in the Sikar district, Rajasthan. The infected plants were analyzed for begomovirus infection by rolling circular amplification (RCA) and sequenced. Full length sequences confirmed the association of monopartite begomovirus with betasatellites. Phylogenetic analysis showed the highest percentage of identity with Chilli leaf curl virus (ChLCuV) and therefore considered to be an isolate of ChLCuV. Recombination analysis showed that ChLCuV has broadened its host range by recombination process. To the best our knowledge, this is the first report of natural occurrence of ChLCuV on P. hybrida in India.