Population Structure of Coffee Ringspot Virus in Brazil

The proposed research will focus on mapping the genetic diversity of CoRSV, and its false spider mite vector (Brevipalpus phoenicis), in seven (7) of the major coffee producing states in Brazil (Figure 5). Given the bipartite composition of the CoRSV genome, we will test for both sequence variation within CoRSV genes, as well as assortment or recombination within the two RNA segments that compose the genome. The proposed research is will be conducted by undergraduate students and their peer-mentors in Brazil.