Diversity of polerovirus‐associated <scp>RNAs</scp> in the virome of wild and cultivated carrots

The self-replicating polerovirus-associated RNAs have recently been classified as tombusvirus-like associated (tlaRNAs). In a metagenomic comparison of the virome wild (Daucus carota subsp. carota) and cultivated (D. sativus) carrots, four tlaRNAs were identified: carrot red leaf virus-associated RNA (CtRLVaRNA), beet western yellows (BWYVaRNA), two other detected for first time in arracacha latent virus E-associated (ALVEaRNA) new tlaRNA tentatively named 2 (CtRLVaRNA-2). Their genomic sequences show typical genome organization with very short 5′ untranslated region (UTR), long 3′ UTR consecutive open reading frames (ORFs), ORF1a ORF1b, separated by an amber stop codon, leading to production ORF1a/ORF1b RdRp fusion protein. genetic diversity prevalence these various agents analysed populations France Spain. CtRLVaRNA was most frequently both genetically more heterogeneous than ALVEaRNA CtRLVaRNA-2. Spain showed preferential association carrots. contrast, CtRLVaRNA-2 only from one preferentially populations. Analysis individual plants presence CtRLV but not that expected helper BWYVaRNA, suggesting degree flexibility their associations viruses, which turn may biological epidemiological consequences.