Indian strain of <i>Sri Lankan Cassava Mosaic Virus</i> associated with cassava mosaic disease in Sri Lanka

Cassava has been an important crop in Sri Lanka for many years. However, its cultivation has faced challenges due to the cassava mosaic disease (CMD). While a particular strain of the Sri Lankan Cassava Mosaic Virus (SLCMV-Col) has been identified as the primary cause of CMD in the wet zone of Sri Lanka, little attention has been given to the virus responsible for the disease in the dry zone, where cassava cultivation is predominant. The study seeks to identify the virus, explore its evolutionary relationship and identify potential recombinants. Analysis of the resulting DNA-A sequences through bioinformatics tools revealed that the virus is indeed SLCMV, though distinct from the strain previously identified in the wet zone of Sri Lanka. Instead, this newly identified strain shares over 99% sequence identity with the strain reported in India.