Molecular detection and identification of alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) on pepper cultivated in open fields in R. Macedonia

Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) is one of the most distributed and economically important plant viruses in pepper in R. Macedonia. Serological detection of AMV in eight important pepper production regions in R. Macedonia and molecular identification of a representative isolate were performed. The virus detection of AMV was conducted using DAS-ELISA method. In order to make molecular detection, RT-PCR was performed. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted, based on the partial sequences of the coat protein gene. A genetic relationship of the Macedonian isolate KUA7-2013 gained in this study was compared with 29 AMV isolates from other parts of the world. High level of nucleotide (92-94.4%) and amino acid identities (91.9-97.1%) were determined. In the constructed phylogenetic tree, the Macedonian AMV isolate was clustered in group II together with isolates from France and Great Britain. In this study, for the first time in R. Macedonia, an isolate of AMV was identified at the molecular level