Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) is currently causing great concern in the Moroccan greenhouse tomato industry, where it produces important economic losses. A survey was conducted from October 2015 to April 2016 on PepMV in seven different regions throughout Morocco. In a few plants, severe symptoms which could be associated to the virus were observed. A total of 315 samples of different varieties were collected and tested by DAS-ELISA for the presence of PepMV using a commercial kit. The obtained results showed that PepMV was widely distributed in the country with an infection rate of 21%, especially in the region of Souss Massa where 70% of the tested plants were infected. Representative samples from each region were selected and submitted for additional RT-PCR testing; 40% of the 83 tested samples were infected.
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Five isolates were selected for molecular characterization by sequencing the coat protein gene; all the isolates showed high nucleotide similarity with the Chilean CH2 strain (DQ000985), with a sequence homology ranging from 99.2% to 99.8%. These results should be considered for the development of control strategies for PepMV based on cross-protection using mild strains. Furthermore, the present study allowed the first report of Tomato torrado virus in the country.
