Purification and serological study of sugarcane white leaf phytoplasma in Khuzestane province

Sugarcane white leaf (SCWL) is among the most important and economical diseases of sugarcane in Asia. SCWL is reported from Khuzestan province as an emerging phytoplasmal disease of sugarcane. In addition to SCWL, Bermuda grass white leaf (BGWL) the other monocot phytoplasmal disease also is reported from this province. Rabbit has been used for rising of antiserum by injection of partially purified SCWL at 40g of infected tissue. This antiserum exhibited specificity for its homologous phytoplasma antigen in Plate- Trapped Antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (PTA-ELISA) dot immunoblotting assay (DIBA) and tissue print immuno assay (TPIA). No cross-reactions were observed in reciprocal tests between this antiserum and other tested phytoplasmas.