First report of Cucumber mosaic virus infecting Petroselinum crispum in Serbia

Abstract

The Apiaceae family, a large and complex family with about 3820 species distributed throughout the world, includes important leaf and root vegetables such as carrot, parsley, celery, and parsnip. A number of species are cultivated as aromatic herbs and spices, while certain species have long been used in medicine. It is well-known that this family has been threatened by numerous pathogens, of which more than 30 widespread viruses have been described. Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV; Cucumovirus CMV, Cucumovirus, Bromoviridae) is one of the most widespread viruses, causing significant agronomic losses in many crops, including over 1,300 plant species from more than 500 genera and 100 families, with a high potential for rapid spread to new hosts. In autumn 2023, during a survey to determine the presence of Apiaceous viruses in Serbia, symptomatic parsley plants with chlorotic spots and line patterns on the leaf surface were observed in the Medvedja locality (district of Rasina). The collected samples were analyzed by double-antibody sandwich (DAS)-ELISA and CMV was detected in 7 out of 9 tested samples. The presence of CMV in parsley was also confirmed by RT-PCR with specific primers. The amplified product of isolate 4/23 was sequenced using Sanger sequencing method and analyzed by MEGAX software. BLAST search result revealed a 99,52% identity with Polish CMV isolate from host Lonicera caprifolium (EU 191027). The constructed phylogenetic tree showed that the Serbian parsley isolate belongs to CMV subgroup II. In Yugoslavia's former geographical region, CMV's presence was suspected based on symptoms observed on celery plants in the fields. To our knowledge, this is the first report of CMV on parsley in Serbia