Biological Systems: Theory and Innovation

Innovative methods for diagnosing RNA-containing plant viruses: New approaches to control and prevention

Oleksii Pavelko, Oksana Taran, Yuliia Kolomyets
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Abstract

This study aimed to conduct a comparative analysis of traditional methods (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, polymerase chain reaction) and innovative techniques for diagnosing ribonucleic acid-containing viruses in plants, in order to assess their effectiveness in detecting pathogens at early stages of infection. Experimental trials were carried out under laboratory conditions using wheat, tomato, and cucumber samples infected with typical viral agents. The detection limit, specificity, analysis duration, cost, and scalability of each method were examined. It was found that modern molecular approaches – particularly targeted cleavage of genetic material using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats with associated proteins, as well as next-generation sequencing – significantly outperformed traditional methods in terms of sensitivity, accuracy, and the ability to detect viruses in latent form. In particular, the detection limit for the sequencing method was 0.01 copies per microlitre, while for the targeted cleavage method it was 0.1 copies per microlitre. The targeted cleavage technology offered an effective balance of speed (1‑2 hours), cost (approximately 20 USD per sample), and throughput (up to 200 samples per day), whereas next-generation sequencing, despite its highest accuracy, required considerable financial and technical resources. The practical significance of the results lies in providing a scientific basis for integrating innovative diagnostic platforms into the phytosanitary control system. The proposed approaches enhance the efficiency of viral pathogen detection, reduce economic losses in crop production, and support the development of modern biosecurity strategies in agriculture

Keywords

pathogen diagnostics; detection sensitivity; latent infections; agricultural biosecurity; molecular analytical methods; phytovirus monitoring

Suggested citation
Pavelko, O., Taran, O., & Kolomyets, Yu. (2025). Innovative methods for diagnosing RNA-containing plant viruses: New approaches to control and prevention. Biological Systems: Theory and Innovation, 16(3), 26-41. https://doi.org/10.31548/biologiya/3.2025.26
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