Hop stunt viroid detection in hops (Humulus lupulus) in Australia

Abstract

Hop stunt viroid (HSVd), a significant pathogen of some hop cultivars, was detected for the first time in hops in Australia. Plants were tested for graft-transmissible pathogens prior to their use in research trials. Upon observing symptoms indicative of potential viroid infection, RNA was extracted and amplified using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR); HSVd identity was confirmed by sequencing.