Revolutionizing Plant Virus Detection: A Review on Molecular Breakthroughs and their Implications

Viruses are very minute microorganisms which are incapable of independent existence and can infect wide range of wild and cultivated plants. The plants’ reaction to viral infections are diverse and depends on factors such as the specific virus- host interaction under different environmental conditions with symptoms ranging from acting as asymptomatic carrier to showing severe diseases symptoms which further results in plant mortality. Since various viral infections can result in similar symptoms, relying solely on the disease's external appearance offers only partial insights for disease diagnosis. To achieve more precise and dependable virus identification, it is essential to consider various characteristics and properties of the virus. The molecular detection of plant viruses has revolutionized the field of plant virology. This review highlights the overview of the different approaches utilized in the diagnosis of plant viruses, with a particular focus on significant advancements in molecular techniques, ranging from traditional PCR-based methods, ELISA to high-throughput Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies. Molecular tools have enabled precise and rapid identification of plant viruses, contributing to better disease management in agriculture. The review also delves in to emerging technologies such as CRISPR- based diagnostics and nanopore sequencing, which hold promise for enhancing the precision and speed of plant virus detection.