RAPID COMMUNICATION
Figure from article: A preliminary study of...
 
HIGHLIGHTS
  • Grapevine viruses being confirmed by sequencing for the first time in Georgia
  • Grapevine viruses indicating limited genetic divergence
  • Identified viruses are genetically related to globally distributed virus populations
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ABSTRACT
This study reports the first molecular detection and characterization of four economically important grapevine viruses—Grapevine leafroll-associated virus-1 (GLRaV-1), Grapevine leafroll-associated virus-3 (GLRaV-3), Grapevine fleck virus (GFkV), and Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV)—in commercial vineyards of western Georgia. Thirty grapevine samples of the widely cultivated Vitis vinifera cv. Saperavi were collected from a self-rooted vineyard in the Adjara region and analyzed using double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA) and one-step RT-PCR. Single and mixed virus infections were detected. Viral presence was further confirmed by Sanger sequencing of partial genomic regions. Sequence analysis revealed high nucleotide identity (88–100%) with grapevine virus isolates previously reported from Europe, North America, and Asia. Phylogenetic analyses conducted in Geneious Prime software revealed that the Georgian isolates clustered among globally distributed reference strains, without forming distinct regional lineages, indicating limited genetic divergence and a conserved population structure. Typical leafroll symptoms were observed only in GLRaV-1- and GLRaV-3-infected vines, whereas GFkV- and GFLV-infected plants remained asymptomatic. These findings provide the first sequence-based evidence of major grapevine viruses spreading in Georgian vineyards, highlighting the need for systematic virus surveillance and the use of certified virus-free planting material to support sustainable viticulture in the country.
RESPONSIBLE EDITOR
Joanna Puławska
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors have declared that no conflict of interests exist.
eISSN:1899-007X
ISSN:1427-4345
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