Identification of a divergent variant of grapevine berry inner necrosis virus in grapevines showing chlorotic mottling and ring spot symptoms

A new variant of grapevine berry inner necrosis virus (GINV) was identified by sequencing of small RNA extracted from ‘Beta’ and Thompson seedless grapevines showing leaf mottle and ring spot symptoms. However, GINV was not found in symptomless samples used as a control. The complete genome sequences of two GINV isolates (KU234316-17) were determined, and these showed 75.76–89.74% sequence identity to the genome of a previously reported Japanese GINV isolate. The new variants appear to be evolutionarily distinct from the original GINV isolate. This is the first report of GINV outside of Japan.