Determination of broad bean stain virus serotypes by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the degree of serological specificity of two serotypes of broad bean stain virus (BBSV) and their relationship to red clover mottle virus (RCMV). Optimal conditions for the differentiation by ELISA of the two viruses and the two BBSV serotypes were established. BBSV isolates from Vicia sativa belonged to serotype I, those from pea plants (F1, Kow 60) to serotype II, and isolates from Lens culinaris differed from these two serotypes. ELISA revealed no antigenic differences between 22 RCMV isolates which showed the same degree of serological relationship to both BBSV serotypes.