Using the IC real-time RT-PCR technique for the detection of Tomato torrado virus (ToTV) in tomato seedling from infected seeds

Abstract

Summary In 2007, a new virus Tomato torrado virus (ToTV) was identified. The occurrence and spread of the virus were reported in many parts of the world. Taking into consideration a low concentration and stability of the virus in plant sap, its poor mechanical transmission as well as effective transmission by whiteflies , the issue that should be solved is the way of virus transmission for very long distances. ToTV belongs to the family Secoviridae including several viruses transmitted by seeds were described, what may be expected also in the case of ToTV. In the preliminary study on the transmission ToTV by seeds a special emphasis was paid to the detection of virus in tomato plants. Antiserum prepared against ToTV was not specific enough for the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test (ELISA) but it was useful for immunomolecular techniques for the trapping virus particles (immunocapture – IC) from plant sap. The immunocapture real-time reverse transcription – polymerase chain reaction (IC real-time RT-PCR) techniques were developed for the detection of ToTV in tomato plants grown from seeds.