An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of apple mosaic virus in yellow birch

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was developed to detect apple mosaic virus (ApMV) in Betulaalleghaniensis Britton. Tests for virus using bark and bud tissues of dormant trees were successful. ApMV was also detectable in old leaf tissue in August and September, as well as in newly emerging leaf tissue forced in a greenhouse in March. Whole crude antiserum used to coat ELISA plates in tests with bud tissues was a reliable substitute for purified immunoglobulin without loss of sensitivity or specificity. An attempt was made to use ELISA for quantifying virus concentrations in field samples of ApMV-infected birch leaves.