biologia plantarum

Biologia plantarum 22:237-238, 1980 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02892749

A leaf dip method for routine identification of plant viruses using the latex agglutination test

J. Polák¹

¹ Division of Plant Protection, Research Institute for Plant Production, Praha 6, Czechoslovakia

A description is presented of a simplified procedure for the serological diagnosis of plant viruses which utilizes the high sensitivity of the latex test. Small pieces of the plant examined are soaked in a drop of water, buffer, or directly in the sensibilized antiserum. Following the reaction with the antiserum the virus is evidenced by visual evaluation of the presence of agglutination. The procedure is applicable for routine serological diagnosis; it demonstrates even small virus concentrations and is as reliable as the normal procedure of the latex test. Using this simplified procedure the following viruses were demonstrated in various host plants: X-, Y-, S-, and M-virus of potato, the carnation mottle virus, and the tomato bushy stunt virus.

Received: August 27, 1979; Accepted: September 26, 1979; Published: May 1, 1980  Show citation