QUANTIFICATION OF SCLEROSPORA-GRAMINICOLA IN TISSUES OF PENNISETUM-GLAUCUM USING AN ENZYME-LINKED-IMMUNOSORBENT-ASSAY

Antibodies raised against whole sporangia of Sclerospora graminicola reacted specifically with sporangia and mycelium of this fungus. Agglutination studies localized the antigen on the cell-wall surfaces. Using this antibody, an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with a biotin-avidin amplification system was developed for the quantification of S. graminicola in the host tissues of Pennisetum glaucum. This sensitive assay system, which could detect 3.1-5.5 mug dry weight of fungal biomass, was used to monitor the increase in fungal biomass during disease progression.