Cucumber mosaic virus infecting ‘Cavendish’ banana in Argentina

Abstract

Banana plants (Musa sp.) showing severe mosaic symptoms in leaves were observed in Laguna Naineck, Formosa, Argentina. Electron microscopy observations of leaf dip preparations revealed isometric particles ca. 30 nm in diameter, which were identified as cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). CMV was mechanically transmitted to healthy Nicotiana glutinosa plants. Sequence analysis of coat protein gene showed highest nucleotides identity with other CMV isolates from United States of America, Serbia, Russia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iran and Brazil, ranging between 96.9–98.3%. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the virus isolate named Laguna Naineck (MH716245) belongs to the CMV group IA. To our knowledge, this is the first report of CMV in banana in Argentina. Moreover, constitutes the first Argentine CMV isolate available in the international nucleotide sequence databases.