First identification and molecular characterization of a new badnavirus infecting camellia

A new badnavirus was identified in an ornamental camellia tree with yellow mottle symptom. The complete circular double-stranded DNA genome of this virus was found to consist of 8,203 bp. Its genome organization is typical of badnaviruses, containing three open reading frames (ORFs). ORFs 1 and 2 encode putative proteins with unknown functions. ORF3 encodes a large polyprotein that contains almost all of the conserved domains of badnaviruses. The virus shares 55-62% nucleotide sequence identities with other badnaviruses in the RT+RNase H region. Phylogenetic analyses placed it in group I of the genus Badnavirus. Therefore, this virus, which is tentatively named "camellia Lemon Glow virus", should represent a new species of the genus Badnavirus. This virus was found to be present in approximately a quarter of camellia trees tested.