12 A 328 nucleotide (nt) variant of Citrus bent leaf viroid (CBLVd) was characterized from citrus 13 varieties in Malaysia showing leaf bending, stunting and midvein necrosis. CBLVd was 14 detected by RT-PCR assay using CBLVd specific primers in 12 out of 90 samples, collected 15 from six different areas in Malaysia. The viroid was present in five species of citrus namely 16 Citrofortunella microcarpa, Citrus aurantifolia, C. hystrix, C. maxima and C. sinensis.