Association of a begomovirus-satellite complex with yellow vein and leaf curl disease of hollyhock (Alcea rosea) in India

Geminiviruses cause considerable yield loss in several crop plants worldwide. In 2016, several hollyhock plants displaying yellow mosaic and leaf curling symptoms were noticed in a nursery of Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India. Analysis of the collected samples indicated an association of monopartite and bipartite begomoviruses with satellites. Three begomoviruses (including a member of a new begomovirus species), two alphasatellites, and a betasatellite were isolated from yellow-mosaic-disease-affected plants. Similarly, a begomovirus, two alphasatellites, and a betasatellite were found to be associated with leaf curl disease of hollyhock. These begomoviruses and satellites were found to be recombinants. By harboring diverse begomoviruses and satellite DNAs, hollyhock may serve as a potential source of virus inoculum.