One-step multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for the simultaneous detection of three rice viruses

Rice stripe virus (RSV), Rice black-streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV), and Rice dwarf virus (RDV) are major rice-infecting viruses in Korea that can cause serious crop losses. A one-step multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (mRT-PCR) was developed for the simultaneous detection of these rice viruses. Three sets of specific primers targeted to the capsid protein coding genes of RSV, RBSDV, and RDV were used to amplify fragments that were 703 bp, 485 bp, and 252 bp, respectively. The one-step mRT-PCR assay proved to be a sensitive and rapid method for detecting the three rice viruses. This method could be used to facilitate better control of rice viruses.