Localization of fruit tree viruses by immuno-tissue printing in infected shoots of Malus sp. and Prunus sp.

Immuno-tissue printing protocols for the localization of apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV), stem grooving virus (SGV) and plum pox virus (PPV) in shoots of Prunus and Malus in vitro have been established for routine diagnosis in a virus elimination program. Since these viruses belong to different virus genera, the protocols were adapted according to the properties of the virus under investigation. Accumulation of ACLSV was highest in the base of the stem and decreased towards the apex of the shoots. ACLSV was found in the epidermis, the cortex, in the vascular bundles, but seldom in the pith tissue of in vitro apple shoots. ACLSV immuno-tissue printing was as sensitive as ELISA and the intensity of color signals in immuno-tissue prints correlated with absorbance values by two-step ELISA. SGV could be detected by immuno-tissue prints at infectivity levels, where it reacted negative in ELISA. SGV accumulated in the vascular bundles, occurred locally in the parenchymatic tissue, was found in high amounts in young leaves near the meristem, but not within the meristem. PPV was detected in all tissue types of stem sections with an irregular pattern reflecting the in vivo situation causing problems with detection. Discrimination of poorly and heavily infected shoots was possible with the naked eye.