PubMed · 2026-04-01
Scientists developed two new methods to detect Cotton Leafroll Dwarf Virus more accurately and quickly than standard tests — one highly precise lab method and one fast, field-usable test that works without specialized equipment.
The digital PCR method enabled absolute viral load quantification and outperformed standard RT-PCR sensitivity, with Brownfield (F2) samples showing significantly higher virus titers than Lubbock samples.
The CRISPR/Cas13a fluorescent assay detected as few as 50 RNA copies of the virus, establishing a practical field-level limit of detection.
The CRISPR-based test worked directly on crude leaf extracts without RNA purification, making it deployable in field settings without laboratory infrastructure.
