Relative concentration of Apple mosaic virus coat protein in different parts of apple tree

Abstract

The optimal conditions for detecting Apple mosaic virus were assessed by determining relative concentrations of viral coat protein in different tissues (leaves, flower petals, dormant buds, and phloem) in five selected symptomless Apple mosaic virus-infected apple trees of two cultivars at different terms during the vegetation period. Relative concentrations of Apple mosaic virus were calculated as the reciprocal value of the Apple mosaic virus coat protein titer determined by ELISA. The highest relative virus concentration and therefore the highest reliability of virus detection was obtained with young leaves in April before flowering. The reliability of the detection was proved by repeating tests of 80 apple trees of four cultivars in the two subsequent years. The presence of Apple mosaic virus was tested in young apple leaves before flowering taken from 472 apple trees from selected orchards of the Czech Republic. The association of the outcome with climate is also discussed.