Grapevine Pinot gris virus (GPGV) is a putative causal agent of grapevine leaf mottling and deformation disease that has been reported worldwide throughout the grapevine-growing regions. Fifty-four grapevines collected from five Algerian grapevine-growing regions were tested for the presence of GPGV in phloem tissues. Eight of the tested grapevines were infected by GPGV. Viromes of two selected Vitis vinifera cv. Sabel grapevines infected by GPGV and showing virus-like symptoms were analyzed by small RNA sequencing. Phylogenetic analyses of the partial coding sequence (cds) of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) domain showed that all Algerian GPGV isolates were grouped with some already-described asymptomatic isolates. This study provides the first survey of the occurrence of GPGV in Algeria. Moreover, Grapevine fleck virus, Grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus, Grapevine virus B, Grapevine rupestris vein feathering virus, Hop stunt viroid and Grapevine yellow speckle viroid 1 were detected in Algeria for the first time.
Keywords: Grapevine Pinot gris virus; RT-PCR; RdRp; grapevine; high-throughput small RNA sequencing.