Rice Dwarf Virus

The Rice Dwarf Virus was the first studied plant virus. It has since been used as a model teaching tool for understanding plant virus mechanisms. RDV uses an insect vector to infect rice and wheat plants. The virus is an isohedral double shelled virus, ranging from 70-75 nm in diameter. There are three strains of the RDV: O, D84, and S. Strain S is the most virulent and causes the most severe symptoms. The RDV is isolated to China and Japan, but the detrimental effects it has on the grain industry impacts globally.