Efficient detection methods are vital for the control of viruses and phytoplasmas in fruit and other perennial crops. This paper reviews the diagnostic tests currently available for detecting such pathogens. Biological tests are generally slow and results may be difficult to interpret. Serological assays are reliable and easy to conduct and some are very rapid. An abundance of molecular techniques offers higher sensitivity and facilitates the introduction of laboratory tests for diseases that currently have to be assayed biologically.
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