Develop accurate molecular detection tool for Poleroviruses affecting cool-season food legumes in Central and West Asia and North Africa to support breeding for resistance and crop management purposes

Kumari, Safaa; Moukahel, Abdulrahman

Develop accurate molecular detection tool for Poleroviruses affecting cool-season food legumes in Central and West Asia and North Africa to support breeding for resistance and crop management purposes

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Date

2025-11-19

Contributes to SDGs

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Kumari, Safaa

Moukahel, Abdulrahman

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Safaa G. Kumari and Abdelrahman Moukahel. 2025. Develop accurate molecular detection tool for Poleroviruses affecting cool-season food legumes in Central and West Asia and North Africa to support breeding for resistance and crop management purposes. ICARDA, Lebanon. (Internal Report).

Abstract

Viral diseases causing yellowing, stunting and leaf roll, that transmitted by aphids in a persistent manner, are among the most devastating diseases affecting cool-season food legumes worldwide. Virus species of genus Polerovirus (family Solemoviridae) cannot be distinguished serologically using polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies due to their cross-reactivity with other non-target viruses, and the often-low viral concentration in plants. Furthermore, antibodies for many Polerovirus species are not readily available. To overcome these limitations and enable accurate virus identification for resistance breeding and crop management purposes, a molecular diagnostic toolbox for poleroviruses infecting legumes was developed using generic and species-specific reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) primers, followed by sequencing of the target coat protein gene. The developed tool clearly demonstrated the presence of several Polerovirus species, causing yellowing and stunting, that naturally infect a range of cool-season food legumes in Central and West Asia and North Africa (CWANA). These viruses are Beet western yellows virus (BWYV), Chickpea chlorotic stunt virus (CpCSV), Cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus (CABYV), Cotton leafroll dwarf virus (CLRDV), Pepper vein yellows virus (PeVYV), Pepo aphid-borne yellows virus (PABYV) and Phasey bean mild yellows virus (PBMYV). The molecular tool was validated by testing food legumes samples collected from Ethiopia, Tunisia, Morocco, Nepal and Uzbekistan. It was also shared with partners participating in the diagnostic network to accurately identify Polerovirus species, their diversity, and their prevalence in CWANA. The resulting diagnostic framework provides scientists and breeders with a clearer understanding of viruses that may pose a threat to legume crops, and a suitable tool for field surveillance, epidemiological studies, germplasm screening within resistance-breeding programs, and required crop management options.