Transcriptome sequencing identifies novel persistent viruses in herbicide resistant wild-grasses.
Herbicide resistance in wild grasses is widespread in the UK, with non-target site resistance (NTSR) to multiple chemistries being particularly problematic in weed control. As a complex trait, NTSR is driven by complex evolutionary pressures and the growing awareness of the role of the phytobiome in plant abiotic stress tolerance, led us to sequence the transcriptomes of herbicide resistant and susceptible populations of black-grass and annual rye-grass for the presence of endophytes. Black-grass (Alopecurus myosuroides; Am) populations, displaying no overt disease symptoms, contained three previously undescribed viruses belonging to the Partititiviridae (AMPV1 and AMPV2) and Rhabdoviridae (AMVV1) families. These infections were widespread in UK black-grass populations and evidence was obtained for similar viruses being present in annual rye grass (Lolium rigidum), perennial rye-grass (Lolium perenne) and meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis). In black-grass, while no direct causative link was established linking viral infection to herbicide resistance, transcriptome sequencing showed a high incidence of infection in the NTSR Peldon population. The widespread infection of these weeds by little characterised and persistent viruses and their potential evolutionary role in enhancing plant stress tolerance mechanisms including NTSR warrants further investigation.
Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD UK.
Federico
F
Sabbadin
Fera Science Ltd., Sand Hutton, York YO41 1LZ UK.
Rachel
R
Glover
School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Newcastle University, NE1 7RU UK.
Rebecca
R
Stafford
Fera Science Ltd., Sand Hutton, York YO41 1LZ UK.
Zuriñe
Z
Rozado-Aguirre
Fera Science Ltd., Sand Hutton, York YO41 1LZ UK.
Neil
N
Boonham
Fera Science Ltd., Sand Hutton, York YO41 1LZ UK.
Ian
I
Adams
Fera Science Ltd., Sand Hutton, York YO41 1LZ UK.
Rick
R
Mumford
School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Newcastle University, NE1 7RU UK.
Robert
R
Edwards
D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D053209:Herbicide Resistance / Q000235:genetics*; D006540:Herbicides / Q000494:pharmacology; D010641:Phenotype; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D006109:Poaceae / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000821:virology*; D059467:Transcriptome; D014780:Viruses / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics
D006540:Herbicides; D010940:Plant Proteins