Fragaria vesca-associated virus 1: a new virus related to negeviruses

In this study, the complete genomic sequence of a novel virus was determined by next-generation sequencing of a sample from a symptomatic strawberry plant with severe yellow spots and mosaic on its leaves. Its genomic organization and sequence showed that this virus is related to members of the proposed insect-specific genus “Negevirus”. The sample also contained sequences from the geranium aphid Acyrthosiphon malvae. Although the virus was detected repeatedly in the same plant during the three following years, no other positive samples were obtained from the surroundings or more-distant locations. Reverse transcription qPCR analysis revealed the presence of both genomic positive and complementary negative strands of the viral genome in the sample, with a 3- to 30-fold excess of the positive strand, indicating active viral replication. As the virus was not detected in any insect species collected at this location, the virus was provisionally named “Fragaria vesca-associated virus 1” (FVaV-1).