Identification and partial characterization of a Carica papaya-infecting isolate of Alfalfa mosaic virus in Brazil

A Carica papaya plant with severe yellow leaf mosaic, leaf distortion, and systemic necrosis was found in the municipality of Piracicaba, state of So Paulo, Brazil. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed the presence of potyvirus-like particles and bacilliform particles similar to those of the Alfamovirus genus. The potyvirus was identified as Papaya ringspot virus-type P (PRSV-P). Biological, serological, and molecular studies confirmed the bacilliform virus as an isolate of Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV). Partial nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the coat protein gene of this AMV isolate shared 97-98% identity with the AMV isolates in the GenBank database. This report is the first of the natural infection of papaya plants by AMV.