First report of potato spindle tuber viroid isolated from pepper seeds produced in Vietnam

Abstract

Abstract Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd; genus Pospiviroid) was detected from pepper (Capsicum annuum) seeds produced in Vietnam, during an export inspection. The PSTVd isolate maintained its viability. To investigate the phylogenetic relationship between PSTVd-VN and other PSTVd variants isolated from other plants, the PSTVd isolate was classified into lethal and severe strains. Inoculated tomatoes (cv. Rutgers) caused severe stunting, with necrosis of the stems and leaf veins. Although the inoculated pepper plants were asymptomatic, the fruits were smaller than the healthy ones. To our knowledge, this is the first report of PSTVd from pepper seeds produced in Vietnam.