Detection of plum pox virus by isolation of double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA)

Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) associated with plum pox virus (PPV) in Nicotiana clevelandii and Prunus domestica has been isolated. While dsRNA was detected in N. clevelandii in considerable amounts by electrophoresis, only small amounts were found in P. domestica. This may be due to viscous substances in the leaves of this woody host. Different PPV strains (NAT - not aphid-transmissible; AT - aphid-transmissible) showed specific patterns in electrophoresis gels. When PPV was assayed in N. clevelandii by dsRNA detection or by standard ELISA or ISEM, all three methods were found to be efficient, with none being superior. ELISA, as a simple and fast routine method, is still the method of choice. DsRNA detection will be suitable for plant disease agents undetectable by ELISA and ISEM.