Towards a rapid and reliable detection method for iris severe mosaic virus in iris bulbs.

Detection of iris severe mosaic virus (ISMV) in ISMV-infected iris bulbs during storage, by either ELISA or electron microscopy has been problematic. We have applied different storage-temperature treatments and a cutting method as possible procedures to enhance ISMV detection in stored iris bulbs cv. Professor Blaauw. While at lifting ISMV could not be detected in the bulbs, gradually the virus became detectable in time when bulbs were stored at about 17°C. Better results were obtained when the cutting method was employed. Using ELISA, a 100 ␜core was obtained for infected bulbs that were cut 1 month prior to testing. The virus could be detected only in tissue adjacent to the cut surface. These results offer good prospects for the development of a reliable detection method for ISMV in iris bulbs