Cucumber mosaic virus infection modulated the phytochemical contents of Passiflora edulis

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) caused huge agricultural impact on Passiflora edulis. However, the interactions between CMV and P. edulis are poorly unknown, which lead to lack of prevention and control measures. In this study, we identified the infection of CMV in P. edulis through modern small RNA sequencing (sRNA-seq) technology combined with traditional electron microscope and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. We also confirmed CMV infection adversely affected or modulated the contents of phytochemicals and further injured the development of P. edulis; inversely, P. edulis modulated its resistance to CMV stress by increasing the levels of secondary metabolites and the activities of antioxidant enzymes components. This is of significant importance to understand the interaction between virus infection and plant host. •In the study, we identified the infection of CMV in Passion fruit by modern combined with traditional methods.•We also confirmed CMV infection adversely affected the contents of phytochemicals and then the development of P. edulis.•P. edulis modulated resistance to CMV stress by increasing the levels of secondary metabolites and the activities of antioxidant enzymes.•This is for the first time to report CMV modulated the phytochemicals contents of P. edulis during interaction.