Recovering and Identifying Infectious Plant Viruses in Guttation Fluid

Abstract

Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) virions were recovered from guttation fluid of systemically infected tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and visualized by electron microscopy. Similarly, pepper mild mottle virus (PMMV) particles were identified in gattation fluid of systemically infected green pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Infectivity of ToMV and PMMV in guttation fluid samples was demonstrated on local and systemic hosts. As determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the concentration of ToMV in tomato guttation fluid was 0.9 ± 0.2 μg·ml -1 and the concentration of PMMV in green pepper guttation fluid was 0.5 ± 0.1 μg·ml -1 . The occurrence of infectious, mechanically transmissible viruses in guttation fluid maybe an important factor in the spread of plant viruses in greenhouse crops.