First detection of wheat streak mosaic virus in Germany: molecular and biological characteristics

Wheat streak mosaic virus is a serious threat in wheat-producing countries. In Germany, the virus was first recorded in 2013 near Hoym. The complete sequence of isolate Hoym was obtained and compared to all other known complete WSMV sequences, including newly collected and sequenced isolates from France and Austria. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the European isolates group together with those from the Middle East to form a separate cluster characterized by a distinct putative P1 protease cleavage site. By means of quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, it was shown that RNA of the USA type strain PV57 accumulated to higher levels in infected wheat cv. Alcedo than did RNA of isolate Hoym.