Characterization of Viral Communities and Two Novel Viruses in Symptomatic Tea Plants via Ribodepleted Transcriptome Sequencing

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Abstract
The tea plant (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) is a globally important crop, yet its cultivation is continually challenged by a range of viral pathogens that can compromise plant health and product quality. In this study, eighteen symptomatic leaves were collected from the Hubei Province Tea Germplasm Resources Nursery, China, representing multiple cultivars and diverse genetic backgrounds. The samples were pooled into three groups and subjected to ribodepleted transcriptome sequencing. Analyses revealed a complex virome, with Tea plant necrotic ring blotch virus (TPNRBV) dominating Pools A and B, whereas Badnavirus betacolocalasiae was the most prevalent in Pool C. Functional enrichment of viral genes indicated involvement in multiple biological processes, including replication, host interaction, and metabolism. Notably, two previously uncharacterized viruses were identified: Tea plant-associated ourmia-like virus 1 (TeaOLV1) and Tea plant-associated rhabdo-like virus 1 (TeaRLV1). Phylogenetic reconstruction positioned TeaOLV1 within the Penoulivirus genus, while TeaRLV1 formed a distinct clade among plant-associated rhabdoviruses. Conserved motif analysis revealed typical viral domains, accompanied by lineage-specific variations in tea plants. Collectively, these findings enhance our understanding of the viral diversity in tea plants, provide refined taxonomic placement for newly identified viruses, and offer molecular insights into their evolutionary relationships and potential functional roles.
Funding Information
  • National Key Research and Development Program of China (2021YFD1601100)
  • China Agriculture Research System of MOF and MARA
  • Hubei Provincial Science and Technology Plan Project (2025BBB035)
  • Innovation Center Fund for Agricultural Science and Technology (2023-620-005-001)

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