Detection of Cryphonectria hypovirus 1 in Cryphonectria parasitica isolates from Azerbaijan

Cryphonectria hypovirus 1 (CHV1) was detected by specific RT-PCR in two strains of Cryphonectria parasitica from Azerbaijan in which reduction of laccase activity was also observed. This is the first report of a hypovirus in the chestnut blight fungus in Azerbaijan. Our work opens the way to further investigations devoted to characterizing the Azerbaijan CHV1 strain.