Broad bean stain virus: Identification, detectability with ELISA in faba bean leaves and seeds, occurrence in West Asia and North Africa, and possible wild hosts

Abstract

During a survey of faba bean viruses in West Asia and North Africa a virus was identified as broad bean stain virus (BBSV) based on host reactions, electron microscopy, physical properties and serology. An antiserum to a Syrian isolate was prepared. With this antiserum the direct double antibody sandwich ELISA (DAS-ELISA) and dot-ELISA were very sensitive in detecting BBSV in leaf extracts, ground whole seeds and germinated embryos. Sensitivity was not reduced when the two-day procedure was replaced by a one-day procedure. Using ELISA the virus was detected in 73 out of 589 faba bean samples with virus-like symptoms collected from Egypt (4 out of 70 samples tested), Lebanon (6/44), Morocco (0/7), Sudan (19/254), Syria (36/145) and Tunisia (8/69). This is the first report of BBSV infection of faba bean in Lebanon, Sudan, Syria and Tunisia. Fourteen wild legume species indigenous to Syria were susceptible to BBSV infection, with only two producing obvious symptoms. The virus was found to be seed transmitted in Vicia palaestina.