Molecular characterization and sequence variability of betasatellites associated with leaf curl disease of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) from different geographical locations of India

Leaf curl disease of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) in India has been found to be associated with begomoviruses and betasatellites. Here, we report the molecular characterization and phylogenetic relationship of the nine isolates of betasatellites obtained from three geographical locations in India. The betasatellites coming from northern and eastern region of India shared 84.3% nucleotide sequence identity and formed two sub-clusters within the main cluster containing different isolates of Cotton leaf curl Multan betasatellite (CLCuMB) isolated in Indian subcontinent. Betasatellites coming from the southern part of India were identified as the isolates of Tomato leaf curl Joydebpur betasatellite and shared 45.2 and 44.9% sequences identity with their counterparts coming from the eastern and northern India, respectively. The present study represents the first report about the association of the leaf curl disease of kenaf with the betasatellites infecting both malvaceous and non-malvaceous crops in India.