Genetic variability and interactions of cymbidium mosaic virus and odontoglossum ringspot virus

Abstract

The genetic variability of two most prevalent viruses infecting orchids worldwide- Cymbidium Mosaic Potexvirus (CymMV) and Odontoglossum Ringspot Tobamovirus (ORSV) were investigated. The coat protein genes of these two viruses from different geographical regions were found to be highly conserved. Attempts were made to obtain transgenic Dendrobium orchids resistant to the two viruses. In double infections, ORSV RNA increased, whereas CymMV RNA decreased slightly. Using the transgenic approach, the MP genes of CymMV and ORSV were shown to display cell-to-cell complementation. Further, the CP of ORSV was able to rescue the long-distance-movement function of an inactivated CymMV CP.