Plant RNA virus evolution.

RNA viruses are the most common viruses of plants, and the evolution of these viruses has been studied both experimentally and phylogenetically. The basic molecular mechanisms for plant virus evolution are similar to those of other viruses, with some notable exceptions. Recent advances include new insights into the origins of plant viruses, analyses of quasispecies and mutation frequencies, population studies on field isolates and practical studies on the importance of virus evolution to agriculture.