Development of real-time and conventional RT-PCR assays for the detection of potato yellow vein virus (PYVV)

Potato yellow vein virus (PYVV) is considered a quarantine pathogen in the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) area. This virus is widespread and damaging at its centre of origin in South America. Current detection methods are either time-consuming or difficult to interpret. This paper reports the development of a sensitive, high throughput, real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR assay, based on TaqMan® chemistry, suitable for PYVV detection. In addition, a reliable conventional RT-PCR assay for PYVV detection is also presented. Although less sensitive (1000 times less sensitive in direct comparison), this method requires less sophisticated equipment and as such should be a useful alternative to the real-time technique in some testing laboratories. The two assays presented here could assist in the implementation of quarantine measures for PYVV identification and in routine indexing of PYVV for the production of virus-free seed potatoes in areas of South America where the virus is highly damaging.