Phylogenetic analysis and biolistic infectivity of a cloned Sri Lankan cassava mosaic virus DNA-A from Tamil Nadu, India on Nicotiana benthamiana.

The complete nucleotide sequence of Sri Lankan cassava mosaic virus (SLCMV) DNA-A isolated from cassava in southern India was analyzed, a phylogenetic analysis with other begomoviral nucleotide sequences was performed and an efficient inoculation method of Nicotiana benthamiana with the cloned DNA was developed utilizing a biolistic device. The nucleotide sequence showed the conservation of all functional begomoviral protein domains and aligned most closely with begomoviruses reported from the Indian subcontinent, except for begomoviruses of cucurbits and legumes. Upon biolistic inoculation of N. benthamiana with the cloned DNA, most plants became symptomatic and showed the accumulation of viral DNA within 21-28 days post-inoculation.