Genomic diversity of Areca Palm Velarivirus 1 (APV1) in Areca palm (Areca catechu) plantations in Hainan, China.
BACKGROUND
Areca palm (Areca catechu L.) is an important commercial crop in southeast Asia, but its cultivation is threatened by yellowing leaf disease (YLD). Areca palm velarivirus 1 (APV1) was recently associated with YLD, but little is known regarding its population and genetic diversity. To assess the diversity of YLD, the APV1 genome was sequenced in YLD samples collected from different sites in Hainan.


RESULTS
Twenty new and complete APV1 genomes were identified. The APV1 isolates had highly conserved sequences in seven open reading frames (ORFs; > 95% nucleotide [nt] identity) at the 3' terminal, but there was diversity (81-87% nt identity) in three ORFs at the 5' terminal. Phylogenetic analysis divided the APV1 isolates into three phylogroups, with 16 isolates (> 70%) in phylogroup A. Mixed infections with different genotypes in the same tree were identified; this was closely correlated with higher levels of genetic recombination.


CONCLUSIONS
Phylogroup A is the most prevalent APV1 genotype in areca palm plantations in Hainan, China. Mixed infection with different genotypes can lead to genomic recombination of APV1. Our data provide a foundation for accurate diagnostics, characterization of etiology, and elucidation of the evolutionary relationships of APV1 populations.
['Cao|Xianmei|X|', 'Zhao|Ruibai|R|', 'Wang|Hongxing|H|', 'Zhang|Huaiwen|H|', 'Zhao|Xue|X|', 'Khan|Latif Ullah|LU|', 'Huang|Xi|X|']
D001114:Areca D002681:China D029381:Closteroviridae D023281:Genomics D010802:Phylogeny D010935:Plant Diseases
APV1 Areca catechu Yellowing leaf disease Genetic diversity