Rice Yellow Mottle Virus (Solemoviridae)

Rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) causes the most important rice disease in Africa. RYMV belongs to the genus Sobemovirus in the family Solemoviridae. RYMV has icosahedral particles and one small single-stranded messenger-sense RNA molecule. The RYMV genome is organized in 5 overlapping open reading frames, the genetic diversity is geographically structured. The natural host range of RYMV is restricted to a few members of the family Poaceae. Transmission is mainly due to chrysomelidae vectors and to contact during cultural practices. Few resistance genes have been identified, in particular in African rice accessions. Resistance durability highly depends on the RYMV strains.