Abstract

Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) a member of Potyvirus group is an important disease of sugarcane. Currently, the virus is identified based on the foliar symptoms exhibitd by the virus on differential hosts. An indirect-ELISA was standardised to detect the presence of virus in the host very precisely. Antigen dilution of 1:500, antiserum dilution of 1:1000 and enzyme conjugate dilution of 1:8000 were found optimum for the detection of the suspected virus in the host. In highly susceptible varieties, SCMV presence was detected even at a dilution of 1 x 105 by ELISA test. Polyclonal antisera developed against SCMV strain-N was found suitable to detect suspected samples of other SCMV strains also. This technique will have greater applications in the routine quaratine work of this Institute.

Keywords: Sugarcane mosaic virus, ELISA, detection, quarantine