First report of <i>Tomato leaf curl Karnataka virus</i> associated with leaf curl disease of <i>Zinnia elegans</i> in India

Tomato leaf curl Karnataka virus (ToLCKV) is a species of begomovirus which has circular, ssDNA monopartite genome and transmitted by the whitefly (Bemisia tabaci). Zinnia elegans popular ornamental bedding plant grown worldwide for its beautiful flowers. A few have been reported to infect Z. elegans, including Ageratum yellow vein China in Vietnam (Li et al., 2013), enation India (Kumar 2010; Pandey & Tiwari, 2012). In March 2019 symptoms excessive curling with mild mosaic were observed on plants growing nursery Bhopal, central (Fig. 1). To investigate aetiology disease total DNA was extracted from samples two diseased one asymptomatic using genomic purification kit (Promega, USA), following manufacturer's instructions. detected both (but not sample) PCR begomovirus-specific primers: CPIT-I/CPIT-T (AM180920/AM180921) (Singh, 2005), PALIv 1978/ PARIc 496 722/ PALIc 1960 (Rojas 1993). The expected amplicons (~800 bp, 1.2 Kb Kb, respectively) purified Clean-up System USA) Sanger sequenced directions Bioinnovations Connecting Technologies Life (Mumbai, India). consensus sequence identical complete viral DNA-A 2761 nucleotides deposited GenBank (Accession No. MK965196). Sequence analysis done BLASTn showed that had highest identity (96-97%) ToLCKV (KX219744, HM007094, LN878123, U38239); Sunflower (JX678965) 94–95% (JX524172, KX831454). Phylogenetic neighbour-joining MEGA v.7.0 close relationship isolates relationships other begomoviruses 2). successfully B. tabaci naturally infected healthy seedlings Nicotiana tabacum, Solanum lycopersicum (each 3/3), being 30 days post inoculation. test all tested positive primer pairs above. Positive nucleotide sequences each original isolate (MK965196). present study demonstrates host ToLCKV. serious threat production several economically important crops at an incidence >80% soybean, sunflower tomato (Malathi 2017). Recently, satellite molecules found associated another plant, Pseuderanthemum reticulatum, (Ashwathappa 2021). transmission provides additional evidence causes it possible may act as reservoir virus. best our knowledge, this first report association elegans. authors are thankful Vice Chancellor Barkatullah University, India, use facilities UGC, New Delhi, financial support under UGC-BSR Research Start-Up grant.