Extended direct lysis method for virus detection on berries including droplet digital RT-PCR or real time RT-PCR with reduced influence from inhibitors.

•Size-exclusion chromatography of RNA from different types of berries reduced RT-qPCR inhibitors efficiently.•Direct lysis and column purification of RNA are efficient processing methods for RT-qPCR detection of RNA viruses in berries.•RT-ddPCR for mengovirus process control showed less sensitivity to inhibitors from berries compared to RT-qPCR.•RT-qPCR was slightly more sensitive than RT-ddPCR to detect low levels of pure mengovirus RNA and showed more consistent results.