DETECTION OF TULIP-BREAKING VIRUS IN TULIPS BY THE ENZYME-LINKED IMMUNOSORBENT ASSAY (ELISA)

As part of the quality improvement and inspection programm of The Netherlands Bulb Inspection Service, a test was needed for the serological diagnosis of viruses, including tulipbreaking virus (TBV) in tulips.

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) proved to be a sensitive test.

Special precautions are necessary for the preparation of a TBV antiserum such as serological purification of the TBV suspension by the complete removal of contaminations, i.e., lily symptomless virus (LSV) and fraction-1-proteins, with anti-LSV and anti-Fl sera. During the growing season, TBV was detected in tulip leaves and bulbs by ELISA. During storage, TBV could be detected in bulbs from primarily infected tulips.