Next-generation sequencing-based detection reveals Erysiphe necator-associated virus 1 in okra plants

Erysiphe necator is a devastating fungal phytopathogen that has caused powdery mildew on several genera within the Vitaceae family worldwide. In the current investigation, next-generation sequencing of RNA extracted from the okra crop, besides the bioinformatics analysis, was operated to examine the virome associated with the okra crop. Although E. necator fungus was not identified in the okra tissues, the mycovirus-related sequence of Erysiphe necator-associated virus 1 was detected. This mycovirus sequence showed a high similarity ranging between 80.38-93.48% and 100% coverage with the four distinct global isolates of the Erysiphe necator-associated virus 1. This genomic data postulates comprehension of the existence of the mycoviruses in plant hosts without their primary host, the fungus. To our knowledge, this is the first identification of Erysiphe necator-associated virus 1 in Iraq