First report of Cucumber mosaic virus in African Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana) in Korea

Virus-like symptoms including stunt, severe mosaic with malformation of leaves, fern-like leaves and abnormal petals were observed from an African impatiens (Impatiens walleriana) grown in a plant nursery in Icheon, Korea. Serological analysis using immuno-strip kits for viruses reported in African impatiens indicated that Cucumber mosaic virus (named CMV-Im) was a causal agent for the symptomatic African impatiens. Biological properties of CMV-Im were analyzed using responses of host plant species, suggesting that CMV-Im is a typical strain that belongs to CMV subgroup I. RT-PCR analysis verified CMV-Im infection from naturally infected African impatiens or mechanically inoculated some host species. Analysis of multiple alignments of CMV capsid protein (CP) sequences showed that CMV-Im shared high CP amino acids identities with other CMV strains. Phylogenetic tree analysis for the CP sequences of CMV-Im and representative CMV strains confirmed that CMV is a typical member of CMV subgroup I. To our knowledge, it is the first report of CMV in African impatiens in Korea