The field of plant virology has seen significant advancements with the advent of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, such as pyrosequencing and sequencing by synthesis. These technologies have revolutionized metagenomic analyses, enabling the comprehensive characterization of viruses in various host plants. Despite these advancements, the spread and geographical expansion of phytoviruses, exacerbated by climate change and global trade, pose ongoing challenges. Emerging and re-emerging viruses often go undetected by traditional diagnostic methods, leading to significant crop damage and economic losses. Recent studies have demonstrated the efficacy of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) as a superior diagnostic tool, particularly for identifying unexpected or unknown viruses. However, there remains a critical need for more extensive research to fully harness these technologies for better disease prevention and control, and to develop new strategies for plant protection.

This Research Topic aims to compile scientific works that serve as a reference for the latest applications of HTS techniques in the analysis of plant viromes. The primary goal is to identify emerging and re-emerging viruses that are often missed by classical diagnostic methods. By focusing on the use of NGS, the research will address key questions such as the discovery of new viruses, the identification of different variants of known viruses, and the improvement of molecular diagnostics. The objective is to provide comprehensive insights that will aid in the development of advanced diagnostic methods and enhance our understanding of phylogenetic relationships in phytovirology.

To gather further insights into the identification of emerging and re-emerging viruses in plants, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Application of NGS and HTS technologies in plant virome analysis
- Discovery and characterization of new plant viruses
- Identification of novel variants of known plant viruses
- Phylogenetic studies using NGS data
- Development and improvement of molecular diagnostic tools
- Impact of climate change and global trade on the spread of phytoviruses
- Strategies for disease prevention and control in agriculture
- Regulatory measures for managing plant virus outbreaks

By exploring these themes, this research topic aims to advance the field of plant virology and contribute to the development of effective strategies for managing viral diseases in crops.

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Frontiers in Plant Science

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