Genomic characterization of soybean blotchy mosaic virus, a cytorhabdovirus from South Africa

Samples showing blotchy mottle symptoms were collected from soybeans in North-West province, South Africa. The assembly of high-throughput sequencing data from three samples yielded contigs of 13,426 to 13,435nt, which represent the first complete genome sequences of soybean blotchy mosaic virus (SbBMV). SbBMV shows a typical cytorhabdovirus gene organization (3 '-N-P-P3-M-G-L-5'), with each putative gene product being most similar, but with only 49.1-71.1% sequence identity, to those of cucurbit cytorhabdovirus 1. Given the species demarcation thresholds for rhabdoviruses, SbBMV is thus a distinct member of the genus Cytorhabdovirus.

Automated summary

This study collected samples showing blotchy mottle symptoms from soybeans in South Africa and obtained the complete genome sequences of soybean blotchy mosaic virus (SbBMV) through high-throughput sequencing. The gene organization of SbBMV is similar to other cytorhabdoviruses but with low sequence identity. Based on the demarcation thresholds for rhabdoviruses, SbBMV is classified as a distinct member of the genus Cytorhabdovirus.