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CVd-I-LSS (low sequence similarity), a variant of Citrus bent leaf viroid (CBLVd), was first discovered in Japan, and its distribution is currently limited to Japan and Iran. In the present study, seven CVd-I-LSS isolates were detected from different citrus hosts ( Citrus sinensis, C. reticulata and C. limettioides) in Pakistan and China. Genetic diversity analysis of 49 cDNAs of CVd-I-LSS isolates showed that the Pakistan population was more diverse than that tested from Japan or China. Phylogenetic analysis clustered the predominant sequences examined into three main clades. Only sequences from the Pakistan isolates were found in all three clades, suggesting Pakistan may be the original source of CVd-I-LSS. Cultivar import records and the close phylogenetic relationship found between CVd-I-LSS from China and Japan suggested that the viroid isolated from China might have originated from Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus viroid V (CVd-V) was recently characterized and belongs to the genus Apscaviroid within the family Pospiviroidae. 334 CVd-V isolates were identified from Punjab, Pakistan, where CVd-V had not been reported. A total of 68 independent cDNA clones were sequenced from 11 infected trees of different cultivars, ranging from 292 to 295 nucleotides. The nucleotide diversity estimated from the nucleotide distances of the CVd-V Pakistan population was similar to that reported from other countries. Based on genetic diversity and phylogenetic analysis, two main CVd-V groups were identified indicating that Pakistan might be one of the geographic origins of CVd-V worldwide. We demonstrated that this viroid has not emerged recently and it is more widespread than previously expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]