Analyses of fig (Ficus carica L.) leaves for virome profiling of mosaic diseased trees from the Western Cape Province (South Africa)

Abstract Virus-like symptoms on fig tree leaves are a common occurrence worldwide and has mostly been attributed to mosaic disease (FMD). Even though only virus (FMV) shown cause FMD, many other viruses have identified in diseased trees. In 2021, total RNA was extracted from leaf samples displaying of chlorotic mottling subjected high-throughput sequencing (HTS) construct the first virome profile South African tree. Bioinformatic analyses FMV, mottle-associated 1 (FLMaV1), 2 (FLMaV2), latent (FLV1), badnavirus (FBV1) grapevine (GBV1) data. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) conducted, for these viruses, 24 additional collected Western Cape. FBV1, GBV1, FLMaV1, FLV1, FLMaV2, fleck-associated (FFkaV) were detected 100%, 96%, 92%, 54%, 46%, 21%, 12.5% samples, respectively. This is report presence FFkaV, FBV1 GBV1 Africa offers preliminary insight into status trees country.