Suitability of the date of grapevine tissue sampling for tests of GFLV and ArMV presence using ELISA method

PAVLOUSEK, P.: Suitability of the date of grapevine tissue sampling for tests of GFLV and ArMV presence using ELISA method. Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun. , 2007, LV, No. 5, pp. 223–228 Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV) and Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV) are two important agents from the Nepoviruses genus. At present, serodiagnostic method is one of routine methods of virus pathogens testing also in grapevines. The aim of this study was to determine a suitable date of grapevine tissue sampling using the ELISA method and to follow visible symptoms of GFVL and ArMV infestation of vines. Positive results of tests for the occurrence of GFLV were obtained in the following growth stages: B (intensive growth – growth apex), C (beginning of fl owering – young leaves) and D (beginning of fl owering – infl orescence). Samples evaluated by ELISA method as positive for ArMV were found out in growth stages B (intensive growth – growth apex) and C (beginning of fl owering – infl orescence). In all other stages the results of performed tests were negative. It is concluded that the stage B (intensive growth – growth apex) seems to be the most suitable for sampling of grapevine tissue. grapevine, grapevine virus disease, GFLV, ArMV, ELISA method, visual symptoms, term of sampling In the territory of former Czechoslovakia, virus pathogens of grapevine were for the fi rst time described by Straňak in 1912. He defi ned is as a grapevine mosaic and emphasised that this disease was not a physiological disorder (Bojňanský, 1963). At present, 55 viruses are known, which can cause infection of grapevine plants (Martelli, 2003). Viruses are submicroscopic particles of different sizes and shapes, which cause physiological changes in plant tissues. These changes are thereafter manifested as visible symptoms, e.g. changes in colour and shape of leaves and/or even the dying-off of plants. Within the plant organism they induce histological, cytological and also metabolic changes (Ipach, 2004). A practical evaluation of malignity of virus diseases is performed on the base of an evaluation of percentages of individual viruses occurring in the vineyard. The infected material is then evaluated with regard to harmful effects of virus diseases on the photosynthesis, formation of active root zone, formation of assimilation apparatus and also to some secondary effects, e.g. yield depression, reduction of grape quality and deterioration of quality of wine as the fi nal product (Martelli, 1978). Grapevine fanleaf virus (CFLV) and Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV) are two important agents from the Nepoviruses genus and the serodiagnostics is one of routine methods used for testing of virus pathogens also in grapevines. After its introduction into the virological practice, ELISA became the main diagnostic method which is currently used in practice for the detection of the economically most important viral diseases – Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV), Grapevine leafroll viruses (GLRV) and Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV) (Vanek, 1992). GFLV can be detected routinely by ELISA of various grapevines extracts (leaves collected during spring, rootlets, cortical scrapings from mature canes, petioles) (Andret-Link, et al., 2004).