| Abstrak/Abstract |
Pineapple (Ananas comosus) is a major export commodity and it is widely cultivated by both large-scale plantations and smallholder farmers across various regions of Indonesia. However, the production is increasingly threatened by Mealybug Wilt of Pineapple (MWP), a disease associated with Pineapple mealybug wilt-associated viruses (PMWaVs). Despite its impact, the limited molecular data on both the PMWaVs and their mealybug vectors hampers the development of effective disease management strategies. In this study, pineapple leaves exhibiting MWP symptoms and mealybug samples were collected from various locations across Java Island. Molecular analyses were conducted using specific primers to detect PMWaV-1, PMWaV-2, and PMWaV-3. Additionally, mealybugs were identified to the species level through molecular methods. The research findings revealed that of the 22 pineapple samples tested, 19 samples were positive for PMWaV-1, with two of these showing mixed infections of PMWaV-1 and PMWaV-2. PMWaV-3, however, was not detected in any sample. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that Indonesian PMWaV-1 isolates are most closely related to isolates from Malaysia, Thailand, Ghana, Uganda, and the USA, meanwhile PMWaV-2 isolates share close genetic relationships with those from Taiwan, Ghana, Cuba, Colombia, and Reunion Island. The mealybug samples collected from Bantul and Sleman were identified as Dysmicoccus brevipes and D. neobrevipes, respectively. These findings provide strong molecular evidence for MWP occurrence in Java Island and highlight the need for further investigations in other parts of Indonesia. |
