MOLECULAR DETECTION OF FIVE MIXED RICE VIRUSES BY REVERSE TRANSCRIPTION-POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION (RT-PCR)

Rice plants are one of the important commodities for the livelihoods of people all over the world, including in South Sulawesi. However, rice plants often suffer from virus infections which can cause production losses and reduced quality. Mixed viral infections in rice plants in South Sulawesi have been detected through RT-PCR analysis. The results showed that the rice plant samples were infected by several types of viruses, including Rice tungro spherical virus (RTSV), Rice tungro bacilliform virus (RTBV), Rice grassy stunt virus (RGSV), Rice ragged stunt virus (RRSV), and Rice black streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV). The detected virus DNA molecule sizes varied between 195-1764 bp in different samples. This finding highlights the importance of considering mixed viral infections in rice plants in South Sulawesi as a significant issue. The determination of the type of viruses and the infection level is crucial in determining an effective control strategy and minimizing rice production losses. Preventive measures, such as maintaining the cleanliness of the planting location, destroying infected plants, and planting virus-resistant varieties, are necessary to prevent the spread of these viruses.