Characterization and Distribution of Potyvirus Species Infecting Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) in Burkina Faso

Abstract

Virus species belonging to the genus Potyvirus are the most common viruses infecting sweet potato crop. Among these viruses, Sweet potato Feathery Mottle Virus (SPFMV) is the most damaging and widespread in the world. To assess the potyvirus disease on sweet potato in Burkina Faso, a total of 300 samples were collected from the nine largest sweet potato producing regions. Samples were analyzed using RT-PCR and products were Sequenced. Bioinformatic analyzes were performed to know the strains of the viruses. The results revealed that SPFMV is the main Potyvirus infecting sweet potato in Burkina Faso with a prevalence of about 28.33%. A total of seven isolates of SPFMV were successfully sequenced and used for phylogenetic analyzes. These isolates have shown 99% nucleotide identity with the phylogroup A-II (SPFMV-O), and some of them had 95% nucleotide identity with phylogroup B (SPFMV-RC). This study showed that SPFMV is the main Potyvirus-infecting sweet potato in Burkina Faso.