Virus associated to yellowing of Hibiscus sabdariffa in Guerrero, Mexico

Abstract

In the producing area of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) in the state of Guerrero, five plots with an incidence of 90-100 % of plants showing vein chlorosis, mosaic and yellowing were observed in the autumn-winter 2014 crop cycle. Asymptomatic and symptomatic plants were collected and grafted onto healthy plants and at 17 days after inoculation vein chlorosis and mosaic were observed in plants grafted with leaves showing symptoms. DNA and RNA were extracted from plants collected in the field and those grafted that showed symptoms and analyzed for phytoplasmas, begomoviruses, viruses of the family Potyviridae and Okra mosaic virus (OkMV). No amplification were obtained for phytoplasmas, viruses of the family Potyviridae and Okra mosaic virus in plants collected in the field and grafted that showed symptoms; only they were positive for begomoviruses. Secuences from eigth plants with symptoms collected at field and one grafted showing symptoms had a similarity of 95 % and 91 %, respectively, with Okra yellow mosaic Mexico virus (OkYMMV). Two plants with symptoms collected at field showed a lower similarity with different begomoviruses. These results indicate that yellowing of Hibiscus sabdariffa is associated with a viral complex in which OkYMMV is present.