Reading the viral fossils hidden in yam genomes
New genomic evidence could help scientists distinguish ancient viral remnants from active infections—and support safer yam germplasm exchange Yams are prone to several viruses, and some of their genomes contain
- Plant health
- Yams
New genomic evidence could help scientists distinguish ancient viral remnants from active infections—and support safer yam germplasm exchange
Yams are prone to several viruses, and some of their genomes contain diverse viruses known as endogenous pararetroviral sequences (EPRVs), inherited over generations, these viruses complicate diagnostics and germplasm exchange because the sequences resemble the DNA of infectious viruses.
A recent genomic study of five yam species—D. rotundata, D. alata, D. praehensilis, D. abyssinica, and D. dumetorum—identified inactive integrations of four major groups of badnavirus-derived DNA in the yam genome. The findings provide new information that could help scientists clarify a persistent challenge for plant health testing and yam germplasm exchange.