Phylogenetic analysis of watermelon mosaic virus isolates in Greece

Watermelon mosaic virus (WMV, genus Potyvirus, family Potyviridae) is a serious pathogen of cucurbit crops with a worldwide distribution. It has a wide host range (>170 species) and it is transmitted non-persistently by several aphid species. Previous molecular analyses based on full-length WMV sequences indicated the presence of 3 major groups, namely G1, G2 & G3. Until 2000 in the Mediterranean basin only G1 and G2 groups were observed, with many G1-G2 recombinants. The third group (G3 or ‘‘EM’’ for emerging) probably originating from Asia was first observed in south-eastern France in 2000. Despite the occurrence of WMV in Greece at least since 1983, no information was available on its genetic variability