Identification of a novel emaravirus infecting lilac through next-generation sequencing

Emaraviruses are multipartite negative-sense single-stranded viruses that usually infect flowering plants.Using unbiased next-generation sequencing(NGS)approach,a novel virus from lilac leaves with yellow mottle symptom was identified.Five viral genomic RNA segments were detected and completely sequenced.The molecular characteristics of the viral RNAs and proteins resemble those of members of the genus Emaravirus.The virus was found to be mechanically transmissible to Nicotiana benthamiana.Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analyses of the virus support the proposal of creating a new species in the genus Emaravirus for which the name lilac chlorotic ringspot-associated virus(LiCRaV)is proposed.