Abstract
A circular, viroid-like satellite RNA (sat RNA) was detected in lucerne transient streak virus (LTSV), from lucerne in South Australia. It was larger than the previously reported sat RNA of LTSV, being similar in size and sequence homology to the 388 nucleotide sat RNA previously shown to be encapsidated by subterranean clover mottle virus (SCMoV) isolated from subterranean clover in Western Australia. This indicates that under field conditions, very similar sat RNAs can be associated with two distantly related sobemoviruses, LTSV and SCMoV. The natural hosts of these viruses are lucerne and subterranean clover, respectively.
† Present address: Roche Institute of Molecular Biology, Roche Research Centre, Nutley, New Jersey 07110, U.S.A.
‡> Present address: Tasmanian Department of Agriculture, GPO Box 192B, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia.