Detection of chrysanthemum stunt and potato spindle tuber viroids by polyacrylamide gelelectrophoresis

Abstract

Stunt viroid can be detected in chrysanthemums with the polyacrylamide gelelectrophoresis (PAGE) method developed by Morris and Smith (1977) for potato spindle tuber viroid. The time of sample preparation can even be shortened considerably. The reliability of the short and the complete PAGE method proved to be similar to that of the biological 'Mistletoe' test in a parallel experiment. Combined samples can be tested in the complete PAGE method easily permitting the detection of one diseased chrysanthemum top in a total of ten.Although potato spindle tuber viroid is not known to occur in the Netherlands we searched for methods to detect possible infections. Artificial infections of tomato and potato plants and o f sprouts of potato tubers could readily be detected by Morris and Smith's method. Using this method it was possible to demonstrate infections by severe and weak isolates even when not yet producing symptoms. In tomato plants the viroid could be detected four to eight days before symptoms appeared.

A Current Overview of Two Viroids That Infect Chrysanthemums: Chrysanthemum stunt viroid and Chrysanthemum chlorotic mottle viroid

“…Due to the fact that viroids have very low molecular weights, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) was first used to detect viroid RNAs [63,64]. Molecular method to detect and quantify CSVd RNA in infected plants based on hybridization assays, where the viroid RNA hybridized to a 32 P-labeled cDNA of CSVd, were also developed [65,66].…”

Transmission of potato spindle tuber viroid by aphids

“…Extraction of PSTV was according to the method of Morris and Smith (1977) modified by Mosch et al (1978).…”

Tumours of Begonia and some other ornamentals, induced by Corynebacterium fascians

“…Attempts to detect the occurrence of viroids were made according to the methods of Morris and Smith (1977) and Mosch et al (1978). Attempts to purify a tumour-inducing virus were performed with tumours from N. christii, N. clevelandii, N. megalosiphon, and N. rustica using differential and density-gradient centrifugation.…”

“…Using polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis methods which can successfully detect potato spindle tuber and chrysanthemum stunt viroids (Morris and Smith, 1977;Mosch et al, 1978) no viroid could be found in tumours. Using polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis methods which can successfully detect potato spindle tuber and chrysanthemum stunt viroids (Morris and Smith, 1977;Mosch et al, 1978) no viroid could be found in tumours.…”