Detection of an endophytic fungus of Lolium perenne using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

Abstract

A technique using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), has been developed for the detection of an endophytic fungus of Lolium perenne L. presumed to be the causative agent of ryegrass staggers. ELISA enabled detection of endophyte mycelium at levels as low as 0.1 ųg/ml, in pasture plants and seed, and in plants grown in the glasshouse from infected seed. Antibodies to the endophyte show negligible reactivity with other fungal mycelia tested. ELISA greatly increased the rapidity and sensitivity of detection in both routine diagnostic and experimental applications, compared with traditional methods oflight microscopy examination.

Keywords:

• Lolium perenne
• fungi
• immunosorbent assay
• endophyte
• ryegrass staggers