Identification of Citrus Viroids in Commercial Citrus Varieties by Molecular Techniques

In this study، the possible infection of Thomson navel، Moro blood sweet orange، Page mandarin and Webber pomelo with citrus viroids was investigated. Biological indexing was performed by grafting on Etrog citron (C. medica) and maintained in temperature-controlled greenhouse. After inoculation، RNA was extracted by SDS– potassium acetate method. Detection of citrus viroids was done Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) using specific primers of Hop Stunt Viroid (HSVd)، Citrus Bent Leaf Viroid (CBLVd)، Citrus Dwarfing Viroid (CDVd) and Citrus Bark Cracking Viroid (CBCVd). The results indicate Thomson navel and Moro blood sweet oranges had mix infection to all viroids in this study.