Phylogeny and geographical differentiation of zucchini yellow mosaic virus isolates (Potyviridae) based on molecular analysis of the coat protein and part of the cytoplasmic inclusion protein genes.

DNA sequences for the coat protein (CP) and part of the cytoplasmic inclusion (CI) protein genes after reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were reported for the first time for isolates of zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) from Austria, Germany, Italy and Slovenia. Comparison of the DNA sequences of 30 isolates from different geographical regions worldwide revealed highest similarities of the Austrian isolates to those from Slovenia and Hungary. Isolates from Germany and Italy were only distantly related and clustered with isolates from other parts of the world. Our results indicate that a specific isolate can spread rapidly to geographically adjacent areas but may not be directly related to isolates found in other neighboring countries.