Musk mallow (Abelmoschus moschatus): a new host of Cucurbit aphid‐borne yellows virus

Musk mallow (Abelmoschus moschatus, family Malvaceae) is a medicinal plant cultivated across Asia, Africa and South America. It found as weed all over the Deccan region of India (Pawar & Vyawahare, 2017). The seeds are used for purposes source fragrant compounds (Gul et al., 2011). plants exhibiting yellowing older leaves, midvein clearing, leaf reduction, mottling slight downward curling (Fig. 1) were observed in October 2022 at experimental research farm Indian Agricultural Research Institute Pune, Maharashtra, India. occurred weeds disease incidence was 4% (c. 16 plants) an eight-acre area. Ten diseased four asymptomatic sampled to ascertain viruses associated with symptoms. ELISA done using antisera against Cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus (CABYV) (DSMZ, Germany), yellow stunting disorder (CYSDV) (Arsh Biotech, India), Cucumber mosaic (CMV), Papaya ringspot (PRSV) Zucchini (ZYMV) (Agdia, USA). CABYV detected samples but CMV, CYSDV, PRSV ZYMV not detected. None five by samples. Total RNA extracted from both RNeasy Plant Mini Kit (Qiagen, Two-step RT-PCR assay CABYV-specific primers which amplify c. 484 bp partial coat protein (Boubourakas 2006). also performed specific PRSV, ZYMV, Beet pseudo-yellows vein virus. Amplicons expected size obtained any other viruses. No amplification amplicons Sanger sequenced bidirectionally be identical (GenBank Accession No. OP455156). A BLASTn search sequence revealed that it shared 100% identity Praecitrullus fistulosus (OP455157). phylogenetic tree constructed neighbour-joining method (MEGA X program) sequences different hosts geographies, clustered 2). primarily infects cucurbits crops including three Malvaceae species, Abutilon theophrasti, Gossypium hirsutum Malva parviflora (Lecoq 2022). To our knowledge, this first report infecting Abelmoschus moschatus world. present finding epidemiological importance indicates further broadening host range possibility economically important members, such G. grown cotton Furthermore, musk could serve alternative / reservoir aiding its transmission commercial crops. authors thank Director, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi providing lab facilities.