High-throughput sequencing analysis reveals Moroccan Watermelon Mosaic Virus and Tobacco Streak Virus isolates infecting pumpkins in Uganda

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dc.contributor.authorMasika, Fred Bwayo
dc.contributor.authorTugume, Arthur K.
dc.contributor.authorKesawat, Mahipal S.
dc.contributor.authorShimelis, Hussein
dc.contributor.authorDdamulira, Gabriel
dc.contributor.authorAthman, Shahasi Y.
dc.contributor.authorIpulet, Perpetua
dc.contributor.authorAlicai, Titus
dc.date.accessioned2025-08-11T12:01:16Z
dc.date.available2025-08-11T12:01:16Z
dc.date.issued2025-08-01
dc.descriptionThe study's focus on plant health, disease management, and food security aligns with these SDGs, especially SDGs 2 and 3, to promote sustainable agriculture and healthier communities
dc.description.abstractPumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) is a globally cultivated, economically significant cucurbit species, yet viral diseases pose a major threat to its yield and quality, especially in key production areas such as Uganda. To investigate and document viruses affecting pumpkins in Uganda, we assessed the sub-regional severity of virus-like diseases and identified pumpkin-infecting viruses using RNA sequencing. A total of 75 pumpkin leaf samples displaying typical viral symptoms were collected from 66 fields across Uganda. These samples were then pooled into five bulk groups, each consisting of 15 different plant leaves. Our analysis identified two viruses and detected six viruses, which were, however, not confirmed by another method. The two identified viruses were Moroccan Watermelon Mosaic Virus (MWMV) and Tobacco Streak Virus (TSV). This is the first report of MWMV and TSV infecting pumpkins in Uganda. The virus-like disease symptoms exhibited variations in sub-regional severity and incidence. These findings highlight the current viral diversity in pumpkins in Uganda, providing critical information for developing integrated disease management strategies to enhance crop yield and productivity.
dc.description.sponsorshipInternational Foundation for Science through grant number 1-1-C6140-1, 2017, and the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) through grant number RU/2020/GTA/DRG/008.
dc.identifier.citationMasika, F. B., Tugume, A. K., Kesawat, M. S., Shimelis, H., Ddamulira, G., Athman, S. Y., ... & Alicai, T. (2025). High-throughput sequencing analysis reveals Moroccan Watermelon Mosaic Virus and Tobacco Streak Virus isolates infecting pumpkins in Uganda. CABI Agriculture and Bioscience, 6(1), 0055.
dc.identifier.issn2662-4044
dc.identifier.urihttps://dir.muni.ac.ug/handle/20.500.12260/761
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherCABI Agriculture and Bioscience
dc.subjectPumpkin
dc.subjectIllumina
dc.subjectHigh throughput
dc.subjectSequencing platform
dc.subjectPotyvirus
dc.subjectPolerovirus
dc.subjectIlarvirus
dc.titleHigh-throughput sequencing analysis reveals Moroccan Watermelon Mosaic Virus and Tobacco Streak Virus isolates infecting pumpkins in Uganda
dc.typeArticle

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