Real-time RT-PCR quantitative analysis of plant viruses in stone fruit tissues

Real-time PCR assays aiming at quantifying the level of plant infection by pathogens are becoming more and important. Within microbiology, the application of Real-time PCR has had the biggest impact upon the field of virology. However, Real-time PCR application in fundamental plant virology studies is still lagging behind. The use of relative and absolute quantification is discussed in this study. Also, case studies including Plum pox virus in transgenic plums C5 are presented.