Genomic characterization of novel viruses associated with Olea europaea L. in South Africa

Abstract

South Africa has a small but growing olive industry. Until now, no virological research has been carried out on this crop locally. Seventeen samples were collected from various olive cultivars from a single producer in the Stellenbosch growing area of South Africa. RNAseq was performed on total RNA, and the compositions of the metaviromes were determined. Olive leaf yellowing-associated virus was detected for the first time in South Africa, as well as four novel viruses from the family Closteroviridae and one each from the families Tymoviridae and Solemoviridae.