Clematis vitalba can host Prunus virus I

Clematis vitalba is a perennial climbing vine native to Europe. The perennial lifespan and invasive nature of the plant suggests its potential virus reservoir role. In this study, C. vitalba plants showing virus specific symptoms were sampled near garden fields at Budakeszi, in Hungary. From the symptomatic plants showing line pattern and ringspots, small RNA High throughput sequencing was employed to reveal the causative viral agent responsible for the exhibited symptoms. The results of the bioinformatic analysis indicated the presence of a putative Ilarvirus. RT-PCR validation using Ilarvirus specific primers were designed according to the contigs, and sRNA reads enabled us to amplify part of the three genomes of the presenting Ilarvirus. Sanger sequencing of the amplified part showed the presence of a Prunus virus I strain, a recently (2021 March) described virus, which presence was only show in Greece on cherry so far. BlastN analysis of the genomic sequence showed that the strain presenting in the Clematis is 96-98%nt identical to the reference genome.