Population genetics of cycas necrotic stunt virus and the development of multiplex RT-PCR diagnostics.

Cycas necrotic stunt virus (CNSV) has an extensive host range and is detected in an accelerated pace around the globe in several agricultural crops. One of the plant species affected is peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.). The virus is asymptomatic in most peony cultivars, but there have been reports of symptoms in others. It is thus important to study CNSV and its population structure to gain insights into its evolution and epidemiology. The outputs of this study, in addition to the in-depth analysis of the virus population structure, include the development of a multiplex RT-PCR detection protocol that can amplify all published CNSV isolate sequences; allowing for accurate, reliable detection of the virus and safeguarding its susceptible, clonally-propagated hosts.