Occurrence and molecular characterization of Actinidia virus C (AcVC), a novel vitivirus infecting kiwifruit ( <i>Actinidia</i> spp.) in China

Abstract

Abstract Kiwifruit ( Actinidia spp.) is an economically important fruit crop in the world. China is the largest producer of kiwifruit in terms of both acreage and yield. In this study, a novel virus, tentatively named Actinidia virus C (AcVC), was discovered in Actinidia deliciosa ‘Xuxiang’ grown in commercial kiwifruit fields in the Shaanxi province, a major kiwifruit‐growing region in China. Sequencing of the complete genome showed that AcVC has 7,668 nucleotides (not including the poly‐(A) sequence). Complete genome comparison and phylogenetic analysis showed that AcVC is most closely related to AcVA and then to AcVB. AcVC shares 69.2% nucleotide identity with AcVA (GenBank accession number JN427014 ). Based on these data, Actinidia virus C is assigned as a new tentative member of the genus Vitivirus in the family Betaflexiviridae . AcVC was found to infect A. deliciosa and A. chinesis , the two major cultivated kiwifruits. Infection frequency of AcVC varied with the kiwifruit‐growing regions and cultivars in the Shaanxi province of China.