Development of ELISA-based technique for the detection of a putative badnavirus infecting black pepper (Piper nigrum L.)

Bacilliform virus particles were purified from infected black pepper samples collected from the Indian Institute of Spices Research Farm at Peruvannamuzhi, Kozhikode, showing typical symptoms of stunting disease. The purified virus preparation was used to raise polyclonal antiserum in rabbit from which Immunoglobulin G (IgG) was purified and conjugated with alkaline phosphatase enzyme. This conjugate was used for detecting the presence of virus infection in black pepper samples collected from different regions of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal by Double Antibody Sandwich (DAS) ELISA method. Samples from different Piper species were also tested for the presence of badnavirus infection. Occurrence of a putative badnavirus on Piper colubrinum, P. hapnium, P. longum and P. mullesua is the first report from India and elsewhere.