Characterization, purification and serology of the Czechoslovak isolate of radish mosaic virus

The radish mosaic virus 1 (RMV 1) isolate was characterized according to the reaction of differential test plants and then purified by the chloroform-butanol method. UV-analysis of sucrose density gradients at 254 nm revealed three components. The values of A260/280 ratio were 1.42 for the top, 1.49 for the middle and 1.67 for the bottom component, respectively. Electron microscopy of the purified virus revealed isometric particles about 30 nm in diameter. Two antisera were prepared with the titre 1:1024 and 1:2048, respectively. The RMV 1 antigen formed a distinct precipitation line with the antiserum against the California neo-type strain of RMV.