Water deficit changes the relationships between epidemiological traits of Cauliflower mosaic virus across diverse Arabidopsis thaliana accessions

Changes in plant abiotic environments may alter plant virus epidemiological traits, but how such changes actually affect their quantitative relationships is poorly understood. Here, we investigated the effects of water deficit on Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) traits (virulence, accumulation, and vectored-transmission rate) in 24 natural Arabidopsis thaliana accessions grown under strictly controlled environmental conditions. CaMV virulence increased significantly in response to water deficit during vegetative growth in all A. thaliana accessions, while viral transmission by aphids and within-host accumulation were significantly altered in only a few. Under well-watered conditions, CaMV accumulation was correlated positively with CaMV transmission by aphids, while under water deficit, this relationship was reversed. Hence, under water deficit, high CaMV accumulation did not predispose to increased horizontal transmission. No other significant relationship between viral traits could be detected. Across accessions, significant relationships between climate at collection sites and viral traits were detected but require further investigation. Interactions between epidemiological traits and their alteration under abiotic stresses must be accounted for when modelling plant virus epidemiology under scenarios of climate change.

Automated summary

This study found that water deficit significantly increased the virulence of Cauliflower mosaic virus in Arabidopsis thaliana, but had inconsistent effects on transmission rate and within-host accumulation. Under water deficit conditions, the relationship between viral accumulation and aphid transmission was reversed.