Abstract:In order to develop RT-PCR method for detection of Apple mosaic virus (ApMV) in field and make clear the occurrence of ApMV in China, RT-PCR detection system, including RNA-extraction method, reaction system and program of PCR, was optimized using the apple tissue infected by ApMV. The occurrence of ApMV in 13 provinces (23 cities/counties) of China was clarified by the modified RT-PCR assay. The result showed that the sensitivity of the optimized RT-PCR method could reach as less as 15 μg fresh sample using the total RNA extracted by the improved RNA-extraction method as template. In addition, the modified RT-PCR assay could detect ApMV using the bark tissue of one-year old branch as material during the whole growth period. In China, ApMV was detected in all of the 23 cities (counties). The ApMV positive rate of the 327 samples reached 80.1% and the positive rate of the 205 symptomless samples was 68.3%. The positive rate was relative lower in three areas, including Zhangjiakou City of Hebei, Sanmenxia City of Henan and Baishui City of Shaanxi, which was lower than 50%.