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The virobacterial agglutination test as a rapid means of detecting cocoa swollen shoot virus
Author(s) -
HUGHES J. d'A.,
OLLENNU L. A.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
annals of applied biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1744-7348
pISSN - 0003-4746
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-7348.1993.tb04035.x
Subject(s) - biology , shoot , direct agglutination test , virology , agglutination (biology) , virus , botany , horticulture , immunology , antigen , serology , antibody
Summary The virobacterial agglutination (VBA) test was developed as a means of detection of cocoa swollen shoot virus (CSSV). Identification of CSSV‐infected Theobroma cacao in the field has only been possible by visual examination of symptoms, by virus transmission using mealybugs and by grafting to induce symptom expression in Amelonado cocoa seedlings. Detection of latent infection has not been possible even using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The VBA test successfully detected CSSV in infected sap diluted to 1/2560. Antisera to a range of mild and severe CSSV isolates were tested, and the results suggest a close relationship between seven isolates (1A, Bosomtwi, Bosomuoso, Nkrankwanta, Nsaba, Seidi‐Nkawie and SS365B) while the mild isolate N1 appears to be less closely related. The VBA test was compared with both direct and indirect ELISA in the field. Only VBA detected all the cocoa trees which were known to be infected and additionally identified infection in many symp‐tomless trees.