Molecular Diagnosis of <em>Chrysanthemum stunt viroid</em> for Routine Indexing

Abstract

In 2002, a two-year study was started to check for Chrysanthemum stunt viroid (CSVd) during the production and selective breeding of new chrysanthemum varieties in a central-Italy flower-growing farm. Two molecular techniques, one-tube RT-PCR and tissue printing for hybridization assays, were improved for their effectiveness in viroid detection at different stages of plant selection. Both molecular techniques proved sensitive, reliable and easy to apply in a programme of routine indexing for the production of new and healthy chrysanthemum varieties.