Comparative analysis of three diagnostic methods for the evaluation of Plum pox virus (PPV) resistance in apricot breeding programs

Abstract

Plum pox potyvirus (PPV), is the causal agent of the Sharka disease, which is one of the most destructive viral disease of Prunus stone fruits, mainly apricot, in Europe. No control means have already been developed except for the complete destruction of infected trees and the application of strict quarantine control measures. On the other hand, the develop and growth of new resistance cultivars could be the definitive solution to the problem. In this moment search for PPV resistance is one of the most important objectives in all the European apricot breeding programs. The routine application of an adequate detection method during the evaluation of PPV resistance is a critical step in these breeding programs. During last years, a large number of serological and PCR-based methods have been described for their application in these programs, whereas methods based on the molecular hybridization techniques have been less considered despite that have recently shown to be a very good alternative for routine diagnosis. In this work, the comparison between non-radioactive molecular hybridization, ELISA-DASI with monoclonal antibodies, and IC-PCR, was performed in terms of sensitivity, reliability, cost, and routine application. Results showed the higher sensitivity of the IC-PCR although was more time consuming and expensive. Molecular hybridization and ELISA showed similar sensitivity, reliability and routine application, but the cost of the molecular hybridization was lower than ELISA-DASI.