A new ilarvirus isolated from Viola x wittrockiana and its detection in pansy germoplasm by qRT-PCR

An infectious agent was transmitted mechanically from samples of Viola spp. showing white mosaic and leaf deformation to Nicotiana benthamiana. dsRNA extracted from the N. benthamiana plants migrated as four specific bands that were absent in non-inoculated plants. Sequence analysis of cDNA clones generated from the second-smallest dsRNA showed the greatest similarity to the RNA3 of prune dwarf virus (PDV) (genus Ilarvirus, family Bromoviridae). However, because of differences in molecular, biological, and serological properties between this virus isolate and PDV, a new ilarvirus species, named "Viola white distortion associated virus" (VWDaV) is proposed. Specific oligonucleotides and a TaqMan(A (R)) probe were designed for diagnostic purposes. The possible association between the virus and the original white distortion symptoms is discussed.