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Detection of Homologous and Heterologous Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus Isolates with Monoclonal Antibodies in Serologically Specific Electron Microscopy. R. Diaco, Department of Microbiology, Iowa State University, Ames 50010; R. M. Lister(2), J. H. Hill(3), and D. P. Durand(4). (2)Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, W. Lafayette, IN 47907; (3)Department of Plant Pathology, Seed and Weed Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames 50010; (4)Department of Microbiology, Iowa State University, Ames 50010. Phytopathology 76:225-230. Accepted for publication 12 September 1985. Copyright 1986 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-76-225.

Monoclonal antibodies (M-Abs) produced against: a barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) isolate transmitted specifically by the aphid vector Macrosiphum (= Sitobion) avenae (MAV); an isolate transmitted specifically by Rhopalosiphum padi (RPV); or an isolate transmitted nonspecifically by both aphid vectors (PAV), were able to detect efficiently all BYDV isolates tested in serologically specific electron microscopy (SSEM). They did not, however, detect the unrelated soybean mosaic or cowpea mosaic viruses in SSEM. The procedure was highly sensitive, detecting as little as 7.5 pg of virus. Also, SSEM performed on a mixture of BYDV and the morphologically distinct soybean mosaic virus detected only BYDV particles. These M-Abs are specific for common, rather than group-specific, determinants because they are capable of binding to isolates from serological groups of BYDV previously regarded as serologically distinct. In SSEM, they should be useful in screening a broad range of BYDV isolates, even in mixed infections with other viruses.