Phylogenetic Analysis of Sweet Potato Feathery Mottle Virus Infecting Ipomoea batatas in Ukrainian Regions (Pilot Study)

Sweet potato ( Ipomoea batatas ) is an emerging crop in Ukraine with growing agronomic and nutritional importance. However, viral diseases pose a major threat to its production, particularly those caused by sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV), the most prevalent potyvirus affecting the crop worldwide. This study reports the first molecular detection and phylogenetic characterisation of SPFMV isolates from sweet potato cultivars grown in Ukraine. Leaf, stem and tuber samples were collected from symptomatic plants representing six cultivars. Reverse transcription‐PCR for the coat protein ( CP ) gene confirmed SPFMV infection in 12 of 15 tested samples. Amplified CP gene fragments (~700 bp) were sequenced and analysed using maximum‐likelihood phylogenetic reconstruction based on 30 global SPFMV reference isolates. All Ukrainian sequences (GenBank accessions PX352962–PX352973) clustered within the Ordinary (O) strain group, forming a distinct monophyletic clade supported by 98% bootstrap confidence. The isolates showed high intragroup similarity (97.5%–99.2%) and close genetic relationships with European and East Asian strains, indicating possible introduction through international germplasm exchange. No evidence of recombination was detected. These findings provide the first insight into SPFMV genetic diversity in Ukraine and highlight the importance of molecular surveillance and clean seed certification to prevent the spread of viral pathogens in expanding sweet potato production systems.