Serological and molecular detection of viruses infecting fig to identify the virus-free plants

exposed to diseases and pathogens. A recent investigation indicated that fig mosaic disease was the main pathogenic agent. In this
study, field surveys were conducted in different areas of Egypt. A total of 300 leaf samples were collected randomly from symptomatic
and symptomless fig trees of six cultivars, and tested by RT-PCR for the presence of Fig mosaic virus (FMV), Fig leaf mottleassociated virus 1 (FLMaV-1), Fig leaf mottle-associated virus 2 (FMMaV-2), Fig mild mottle-associated virus (FMMaV) and Fig
latent virus 1 (FLV-1), using specific sets of primers. About 84% of the samples tested were found to be infected by at least one virus.
FLMaV-1 was the prevailing virus with a (78.3%) incidence followed by FMV (73.7%), FLMaV-2 (50%), FLV-1(40.3%) and FMMaV
(35%). The highest infection rate was observed in Sultani, Asuani and Adasi-Ahmer (100%), followed by Kahramani (80%), Kadota
(64%) and Black Mission (60%).Ultra thin section for infected fig plants showed a large double-membrane particles (DMPs) 100-150
nm in diameter were located in the cytoplasm of parenchyma cells. Fig mosaic virus-specific antiserum raised in rabbits, proved useful
for its detection in fig tissues. The plantlets from meristem tip tissue culture were transplanted successfully. FMV could be detected
through DAS-ELISA in the virus-free fig plantlets.