A quantitative screening method based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV). With respect to the assessment of the dose-response curve, the response-error relation, and the precision profile the choice of concentrations and replications per concentration was investigated. Special attention was given to control and fulfillment of validity assumptions as formulated by Finney (1978). To this end the influence of the dilution medium for the plant samples on extinction, and on parallelism of standard calibration curves with dilution series of plant samples was studied. The homogeneity of the plates was also explored. Finally the need for transformation of the data before analysis was considered.