Rapid detection of plum pox virus by reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification

Plum pox virus (PPV) is one of the most destructive viral pathogens infecting stone fruit trees worldwide. As PPV causes a viral disease that requires plants to be quarantined, the development of a reliable method of PPV detection is essential for preventing the spread of the disease. In this study, an isothermal reverse transcription-recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) assay was developed for the detection of PPV in peaches. The major advantage of this RT-RPA assay is that it can be performed at 42 °C and can be completed in 10 min and has specificity for viruses that infect peaches. In addition, this assay was successfully performed using field-collected samples. This RT-RPA assay is a promising method with high efficiency for rapid PPV detection as part of quarantine inspection and certification program.