Detection of sugarcane yellow leaf virus, the causal agent of yellow leaf syndrome in sugarcane by DAS-ELISA

Abstract

DAS-ELISA studies were conducted on detection of sugarcane yellow leaf virus (SCYLV) causing yellow leaf syndrome (YLS) of sugarcane in leaf and juice antigens. Among the two types of antigen sources used for the virus detection, juice antigen showed high titre for the virus as compared to leaf antigen. Assay with juice samples recorded more number of varieties positive to the virus. Further DAS-ELISA studies revealed that plants raised from disease-infected planting materials recorded high titre for SCYLV as compared to those raised from symptom-free seed canes. Similarly, assaying SCYLV titre in plant and ratoon crop in the field showed that SCYLV infection was partial in plant crop and in the subsequent ratoon crop, all the samples were positive to the virus. ELISA studies also indicated that 33 of 41 cane varieties showing YLS were positive to the virus.