Grapevine Vitis vinifera L. is one of the most economically important crops. Due to vegetative reproduction, it is prone to infections with viruses and viroids, which affect its growth and yield. Using RT-PCR and RT-qPCR, we detected seven viruses out of 15 viruses included in the mandatory and recommended infectious disease surveillance programme. Using thermotherapy in vivo and shoot tip culture in vitro, we eliminated three viruses, the elimination of the remaining viruses was partially successful. In addition, we detected the GAMaV virus, for which this work represents the first detection in Slovenia. Using the RT-qPCR method, we analysed the expression profile of DCL, AGO and RDR genes involved in the RNAi mechanism at high temperature activation during the pre- and post-thermotherapy period. The expression of the studied genes was significantly lower, providing the basis for further studies of the effect of high temperature on the central RNAi proteins.
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