ELISA & ISEM detection of viruses for better crop health in potato

In the past seed stocks for breeder's seed production were tested for viruses using slide agglutination test, sensitivity of which ranged from 50 to 70 per cent. Consequently 30 to 50 per cent of the tested stocks still carried the virus infection. To improve the virus testing efficiency, ELISA was introduced as a substitute of slide agglutination test during nineties. Evaluation of results of virus incidence and tuber yields during the last four years revealed marked reduction in the virus incidence of the seed stocks accompanied with increased tuber yield.