Detection and identification of yellow dwarf virus strains in soft wheat crops in southern Ukraine and Hungary

Aim. Detection of yellow dwarf viruses in soft wheat crops in southern Ukraine and Hungary, as well as identification of BYDV strains using molecular genetic methods. Methods. Visual diagnostic method. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Results. Surveys of soft wheat crops were conducted in southern Ukraine and Hungary to detect Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV), Cereal yellow dwarf virus (CYDV) and Maize yellow dwarf virus (MYDV). In the analysis of wheat crops using molecular genetic methods, CYDV and MYDV were not detected. BYDV was identified in both southern Ukraine and Hungary. In Ukraine (Odesa), two strains of Barley yellow dwarf virus – BYDV-PAS and BYDV-PAV – were detected. In the Hungarian wheat crops, only one strain, BYDV-PAS, was found to be circulating. Conclusions. The use of molecular genetic methods for the identification of BYDV, CYDV, MYDV viruses and their specific types (strains) enables the development of more effective plant disease monitoring systems, prediction of infection outbreaks, and prevention of epiphytotics.