Sample and library preparation approaches for the analysis of the virome of irrigation water

Abstract

The virome (i.e. community of mainly RNA and DNA eukaryotic viruses and bacteriophages) of waters is yet to be extensively explored. In particular, the virome of waters used for irrigation could therefore potentially carry viral pathogens that can contaminate fresh produce. One problem in obtaining viral sequences from irrigation waters is the relatively low amount of virus particles, as well as the presence of human, bacterial and protozoan cells. The present aimed study was to compare different processing, amplification, and sequencing approaches for virome characterization in irrigation waters.