DETECTION AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF Pepper mild mottle virus IN SERBIA

During 2009 and 2010, a survey was conducted in pepper crops to detect the possible presence of Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) in Serbia. A total of 239 pepper samples from 39 crops at 26 localities were collected and analyzed for the presence of PMMoV, Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Potato virus Y (PVY), and Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV), using DAS-ELISA test. Although it was detected in a small percentage, PMMoV could pose a threat to pepper production in Serbia due to its rapid seed-borne spread. Presence of PMMoV was confirmed by serological and biological detection, followed by conventional reverse transcription RT-PCR, using primers specific for the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and the coat protein (CP) genes. Molecular identification confirmed that the Serbian isolates belong to PMMoV pathotypes P1,2 which do not break the resistance gene L-3. Reconstructed phylogenetic tree confirmed the allocation of the Serbian isolates together with the majority of PMMoV isolates which belong to pathotypes P-1,P-2. This study represents the first serological and molecular characterization of PMMoV infection of pepper in Serbia, and provides important data on the population structure. The obtained data could have great influence on pepper production in Serbia as well as future pepper resistance breeding in the country.