A New Procedure to Identify Plant RNA Viruses Associated with the Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) Using Next-Generation Sequencing

Salman, M.D. and A.A. Lahuf. 2022. A New Procedure to Identify Plant RNA Viruses Associated with the Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) Using Next-Generation Sequencing. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 40(2): 169-174. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-040.2.169174 Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was applied to obtain the transcriptome data of the Iraqi whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) that was analyzed using some specific bioinformatic tools and programs to identify the accompanying plant RNA viruses. Seven different plant viruses were detected: Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV), Pittosporum cryptic virus-1 (PiCV1), Grapevine leafroll-associated virus (GLRaV), Broad bean wilt virus (BBWV), and Zantedeschia mild mosaic virus (ZaMMV), in addition to Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). The highest quantity of viruses identified were AMV, BBWV, and ZaMMV, respectively through achievement of the highest viral sequence coverages. In this study, we report a new NGS-based procedure, which facilitates prompt and precise the identification and quantification of plant viruses in a pool of B. tabaci insect samples without the necessity for specific primers and application of the conventional PCR technique. The benefit of this method is the quick detection of the potential viruses transmitted by the whitefly, B. tabaci vector that affects countless plant hosts. However, Additional examinations are required to confirm these findings. Keywords: Next generation sequencing, plant RNA viruses; whitefly vector; transcriptome data