The replicase (RP)gene of abnormal leaf isolate(AL) of papaya ringspot virus (PRV)was synthesized by reverse transcription (RT) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)amplification

and cloned into pUC18. The gene was sequenced by the dideoxy chain termination method. Results showed that it was 1 602 bp in length

and shared 82 80%

95 07% and 91 83% homologies with ones of the strains HA5 1

YK and Sm respectively.