Molecular Survey and Genetic Characterization of Hop Stunt Viroid (HSVd) in Fruit Trees in Kazakhstan.

ABSTRACT: Hop stunt viroid (HSVd) infects a variety of natural hosts, including fruit trees, leading to significant economic losses worldwide. This survey aimed to assess the incidence of HSVd in fruit trees in southern Kazakhstan. Out of 482 fruit trees examined, 28 (5.81%) were found to be infected with HSVd. The incidence was significantly higher in stone fruit trees (8.15%; 22/270) compared to pome fruit trees (2.82%; 6/212; p = 0.0133). Apricots had the highest infection rate at 12.66% (10/79), while pears had the lowest rate at 2.08% (1/48). Fifteen of the identified viroids were cloned for full-genome sequencing. Sequence analysis revealed a high percentage of nucleotide sequence similarity (99-100%) among the Kazakhstani HSVd isolates, suggesting a possible unique origin for the infec

SUBMITTER: Nadirova LT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12737526 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature