A Review of Detection Methods for the Plant Viruses

Research in Plant Disease 2014;20(3):173-181.
Published online December 15, 2014.

Joo-jin Jeong1, Ho-jong Ju1,2* and Jaejong Noh3**

¹Department of Agricultural Biology Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, Korea
²Plant Medical Research Center Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, Korea
³Watermelon Experiment Station, Jeollabuk-do Agricultural Research & Extension Services, Gochang 585-863, Korea

Correspondence: <p>Ho-jong Ju Tel : +82-63-270-2519 Fax: +82,

Ho-jong Ju Tel : +82-63-270-2519 Fax: +82-63-270-2531 E-mail: juhojong@jbnu.ac.kr

Jaejong Noh Tel : +82-63-290-6399 Fax: +82-63-290-6398 E-mail: nohjj@korea.kr

Received: July 31, 2014 Revised: September 02, 2014 Accepted: September 04, 2014

Abstract

The early and accurate detection of plant viruses is an essential component to control those. Because the globalization of trade by free trade agreement (FTA) and the rapid climate change promote the country-tocountry transfer of viruses and their hosts and vectors, diagnosis of viral diseases is getting more important. Because symptoms of viral diseases are not distinct with great variety and are confused with those of abiotic stresses, symptomatic diagnosis may not be appropriate. From the last three decades, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), developed based on serological principle, have been widely used. However, ELISAs to detect plant viruses decrease due to some limitations such as availability of antibody for target virus, cost to produce antibody, requirement of large volume of sample, and time to complete ELISAs. Many advanced techniques allow overcoming demerits of ELISAs. Since the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) developed as a technique to amplify target DNA, PCR evolved to many variants with greater sensitivity than ELISAs. Many systems of plant virus detection are reviewed here, which includes immunological-based detection system, PCR techniques, and hybridization-based methods such as microarray. Some of techniques have been used in practical, while some are still under developing to get the level of confidence for actual use.

Key Words: ELISA, PCR, Plant Virus Detection, Symptomatic diagnosis