Genomics Unravels Passion Fruit Viral Disease Complexity in Kenya

Passion fruit virus diseases (PWDs) pose a significant threat to Kenya's passion fruit industry. To unravel the complexity of these diseases, comprehensive virus surveys were conducted across major passion fruit-growing counties. PWD symptoms like fruit hardening, chlorotic mottling, and leaf distortion, were prevalent. The study unveiled the first 23 complete genomes of Ugandan Passiflora virus (UPV) and two East Asian Passiflora distortion virus (EAPDV) in Kenya. UPV showed 99% nucleotide (nt) match to a UPV genome from Uganda and 66% nt identity match to EAPDV. Phylogenetic analysis revealed distinct lineages (I-III), indicating potential multiple introductions into Kenya. Recombination analysis detected no significant breakpoints. However, the study proposed the renaming of EAPDV to passiflora distortion virus (PDV) and UPV to passiflora virus (PV) for neutral nomenclature. Additionally, the study highlighted the role of coinfections in symptom expression, suggesting a synergistic relationship between UPV, EAPDV (PDV), and other viruses. The results recommend for stringent management strategies and enhanced surveillance to mitigate the economic impact of these viruses to Kenyan passion fruit industry. Overall, the study highlights, need to strengthen phytosanitary measures and border surveillance to safeguard Kenya's agriculture from the threat of emerging plant viral diseases.