Genetic diversity and population structure of Iranian Beet yellows virus based on the nucleotide sequences of coat protein

Beet yellows virus (BYV), is the type member of the genus Closterovirus, transmitted by several aphid species. The aims of this study were to detect and investigate BYV distribution in Iran and population genetic analysis for them as an intermediate place between the West and the East. BYV was confirmed in 24 samples located in western provinces and seven out of 24 ELISA-positive samples were subjected to RT-PCR. Nucleotide sequence alignment of the coat protein of Iranian BYV isolates, showed 94.79–99.19% similarity, with those of other BYV isolates. Nucleotides sequences of CP of Iranian isolate showed 99.19% similarity with Ukrainian and USA isolates (Genbank Accession No. X73476 and NC001598, respectively). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all of BYV isolates can be clustered to two main groups and results of this study demonstrated that different factors including selection pressure shaped the genetic structure of the BVY populations. © 2022, Indian Phytopathological Society.