Complete genome sequence of vaccinium-associated virus C, a new member of the family Totiviridae from Vaccinium floribundum

Blueberries (Vaccinium sp.) are a major crop grown in the Pacific Northwest region. Currently, there are at least 17 known viruses that infect blueberry plants, and some of them cause a wide range of symptoms and economic losses. A new virus, vaccinium-associated virus C (VaVC) (family Totiviridae, genus Totivirus) was identified in an imported blueberry accession from the USDA-ARS National Clonal Germplasm Repository in Corvallis, Oregon. The complete genomic sequence of VaVC was determined, but the biological significance of VaVC is unknown and requires further study. Additional Vaccinium sp. accessions should be screened to investigate the incidence of this new virus.