Detection of pigeonpea sterility mosaic virus, the causal agent of sterility mosaic disease of pigeonpea in viruliferous mite vector by DAS-ELISA and DIBA

Abstract

Abstract The sterility mosaic virus in pigeonpea is transmitted by the eriophyid mite Aeria cajani. Serological diagnostic methods like DAS-ELISA and DIBA were developed to detect the presence of Pigeonpea Sterility Mosaic Virus (PPSMV) from their viruliferous vector using whole mite extract as an antigen. Both DAS-ELISA and DIBA were sensitive for virus detection in vector mites. Extract from 180 mites gave a strong positive reaction. A weak positive reaction was observed in a minimum of 10 viruliferous mites by DAS-ELISA. Whereas the virus was detected from the extract of a minimum of 5 mites by DIBA. This indicated that DIBA is more sensitive for virus detection in vector mites when compared to DAS-ELISA.