Association of Kenaf leaf curl betasatellite with Mesta yellow vein mosaic virus in naturally infected Malvastrum coromandelianum

Weeds host viruses and, therefore, may act as virus reservoirs for cultivated plants. Malvastrum coromandelianum is a widespread non-cultivated species that exhibits yellow vein disease symptoms suggestive of a begomovirus infection. A monopartite begomovirus (isolate 40SB), associated with a betasatellite (33SA), was identified in Malvastrum coromandelianum. The isolate 40SB showed maximum of 95.2% identity with Mesta yellow vein mosaic virus (MeYVMV). Whereas, 33SA was classified as a member of Kenaf leaf curl betasatellite (KLCuB) by sharing maximum 86.3% nucleotide identity with isolates of this DNA satellite. Although trans-replication and patho-symptomatology of the disease complex are yet to be verified biologically, this is the first report of a natural association of KLCuB with MeYVMV.