Detection of Blueberry Leaf Mottle Virus in Highbush Blueberry Pollen and Seed

Abstract

Blueberry leaf mottle virus (BBLMV) antigen was detected by ELISA in the pollen from 13 of 15 mature infected cultivar Jersey bushes [Vaccinium corymbosum L.]. Washing with phosphate-buffered saline followed by centrifugation removed almost all of the antigen from the surface of the pollen. Serologically blocked and washed BBLMV-infected pollen, subsequently ground and tested by ELISA, contained BBLMV. Pollen from infected bushes showed reduced germination in nutrient solutions compared with healthy pollen. Seeds from infected bushes were found by ELISA to contain BBLMV antigen, but seeds ground and inoculated to Chenopodium quinoa failed to cause infection. Only 1.5% of the seedlings grown from infected seeds were shown to be BBLMV-infected by radioimmunoassay.