Sequiviruses are isometric aphid-borne plant viruses. Lettuce mottle virus (LeMoV), a putative sequivirus was first described in Brazil on 1982 causing similar mosaic symptoms as Lettuce mosaic virus (LMV). A survey for the occurrence of LeMoV on open field conditions was carried out during 2002 to 2005 on Mogi das Cruzes, Campinas and Bauru in São Paulo state. Total RNA was extracted and used on RT-PCR with specific LeMoV primers. On 1362 samples tested, 137 (10,05%) were positive for LeMoV. Mixed infections with LMV was observed on 43 samples (31,4%). The presence of LeMoV was observed in the three different regions, but with low incidence during the year.
sequivirus
