Polyclonal antibodies for the detection and identification of Fars alfalfa witches' broom phytoplasma

摘要

Alfalfa witches' broom (AlWB) is a destructive phytoplasma disease in Iranian southern and central provinces. Antiserum was raised by injection of partially purified Fars AlWB phytoplasma (FAlWBP) from 20 g infected alfalfa tissue into a rabbit. The specificity of the polyclonal antibody against phytoplasmas was shown by its reaction with diseased, but not with healthy alfalfa upon dot immunobinding assay (DIBA) tests. Phytoplasmas associated with Borazjan fababean phyllody and Chahbahar periwinkle phyllody were also shown to be serologically related to FAWBP. No serological relationship was found between FAlWBP and phytoplasmas associated with Yazd AlWB, witches' broom disease of lime, Khafr almond witches' broom, carrot witches' broom, sesame phyllody, eggplant big bud and tomato big bud.