The document discusses how ancient host adaptation of Rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) to different rice species modulated its current ability to break plant resistance. RYMV adapted to infect Oryza glaberrima rice around 500,000 years ago. This is evidenced by a threonine residue at codon 49 of the viral genome that enhances infection of O. glaberrima but limits resistance breaking in O. sativa rice. Directed mutations showed codon 49 influences the virus's ability to overcome two major resistance genes in its hosts. Ancient adaptation to a rice species continues to impact RYMV's resistance-breaking potential today.