Simultaneous Detection of Three Viroid Species Infecting Hops in China by Multiplex RT-PCR

摘要

We have developed a multiplex RT-PCR protocol for the simultaneous detection of three viroids in three different genera that infect hops: Hop latent viroid (HLVd; Cocadviroid), Hop stunt viroid (HSVd; Hostuviroid) and Apple fruit crinkle viroid (AFCVd; Apscaviroid). The method was validated by testing 175 hop samples collected from the Xinjiang autonomous region of China. All samples were found to be positive for HLVd but negative for AFCVd, confirming the widespread or even ubiquitous infection of HLVd and the low incidence of AFCVd in hops in China. In addition, HSVd was detected in 22.86% of the samples tested. This rapid and reliable multiplex RT-PCR assay provides an effective method for detection of three important viroid species in large-scale surveys for disease management in hops.