Detection and Investigation of Prunus necrotic ring spot virus Effect on Germination of Infected Pollen Grain in Almond

Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV) is one of the most devastating viruses that can affect stone fruit production. By considering negative impact of PNRSV on production of almond, objective of the present study was to develop a consistent and reliable method to detect PNRSV for studying the effect of it on pollen germination in the most important almond cultivars grown commercially in Saman region in Chahar Mahal va Bakhtiari province. One hundred almond trees of Mamaii, Rabii and Sefid cultivars were selected randomly during March, June and September of 2008 to 2009 and some parts of them as samples were checked by using ELISA and RT-PCR for the presence of PNRSV. Then healthy and infected pollen of Sefid cultivar were germinatad in vitro and compared pollen germination. Studying on the effect of PNRSV on germination of pollen grain, showed reduction of the germination capacity (34%) of infected pollen grain. In addition, Comparing ELISA test, RT-PCR was found more sensitive in detecting PNRSV. Detection of PNRSV by ELISA was most sensitive when plant material was collected in March, therefore sampling time was an important factor for detection of PNRSV.