serological characterization of alfalfa mosaic virus in alfalfa (medicago sativa) in some regions of iran

a survey was carried out in five provinces of iran (kerman, sistan and baluchestan, hormozgan, khorasan and yazd) for the presence of alfalfa mosaic virus (amv) sero-types in alfalfa during 2002 to 2003. the number of samples collected was 250, represent-ing the diversity and geographical distribution of amv in these areas. diagnosis was car-ried out using polyclonal (pabs) and monoclonal (mabs) antibodies. a total of 110 symp-tomatic leaf samples gave a positive reaction in elisa with polyclonal antibodies. twelve out of 20 mabs reacted with all samples tested and were considered as non-differentiating mabs. only the mabs-12, 13, 15, 21, 22 and 24 gave a clear differential reaction and were used for identifying amv serotypes. two mabs (1 and 2) did not react with amv posi-tive samples. serological relatedness among amv samples was studied by indicating the existence of six serotypes of amv strains in the surveyed areas.