Interactions between Bell pepper endornavirus and acute viruses in bell pepper and effect to the host

Based on the type of relationship with the host, plant viruses can be grouped as acute or persistent. Acute viruses are well studied and cause disease. In contrast, persistent viruses do not appear to affect the phenotype of the host. The genus Endornavirus contains persistent viruses that infect plants without causing visible symptoms. Infections by endornaviruses have been reported in many economically important crops, such as avocado, barley, common bean, melon, pepper, and rice. However, little is known about the effect they have on their plant hosts. The long term objective of the proposed project is to elucidate the nature of the symbiotic interaction between Bell pepper endornavirus (BPEV) and its host. The specific objectives include: a) to evaluate the phenotype and fruit yield of endornavirus-free and endornavirus-infected bell pepper near-isogenic lines under greenhouse conditions; b) to conduct gene expression studies using endornavirus-free and endornavirus-infected bell pepper near-isogenic lines; and c) to study the interactions between acute viruses, Cucumber mosaic virus Potato virus Y, Pepper yellow leaf curl virus, and Tobacco etch virus and Bell pepper endornavirus. It is likely that BPEV in bell pepper is in a mutualistic relationship with the plant and provide protection to unknown biotic or abiotic agents. Nevertheless, it is also possible that the endornavirus could interact synergistically with acute viruses and indirectly or directly cause harmful effects. In any case, the information that will be obtained with this investigation is relevant to BARD’s mission since it is related to the protection of plants against biotic stresses.