Field surveys and diversity analysis of papaya ringspot virus in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, India, based on the coat protein gene.

Abstract

The most significant threat to the global papaya (Carica papaya L.) plantations is the destructive papaya ringspot virus (PRSV). In this study, we carried out comprehensive field surveys in two major papaya-producing states (Telangana and Andhra Pradesh) in India to evaluate the severity of the disease, followed by an analysis of the PRSV population in these areas based on variations in the viral coat protein gene. The coat protein gene sequences of 103 PRSV isolates were determined and compared with global PRSV isolates to identify notable sequence differences and patterns of phylogenetic clustering. The nucleotide sequence identity among the PRSV isolates from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh ranged between 84.1% and 99.8%, while a sequence identity of 85% to 90% was observed among global PRSV isolates. The findings from the phylogenetic analysis indicated two separate groups that did not fully represent the geographical origins of the individual isolates. Molecular recombination events were infrequent among the Indian PRSV isolates.. Our results indicate that natural selection may have played a role in the evolution of isolates belonging to different PRSV phylogroups, with minimal genetic exchanges and restricted genetic flow. This research will serve as a foundation for assessing the epidemiological characteristics of PRSV in India and for developing long-term, sustainable management strategies.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13337-026-00955-z.