Detection of Apple stem grooving virus in different tissues of apple trees throughout the year

The suitability of different apple tissues for Apple stem grooving virus (ASGV) detection throughout the year was checked by RT-PCR and ELISA. Detectable amounts of ASGV were generally found in all tissues (bark, dormant buds, petals and leaves) tested by RT-PCR from January to mid-June. Leaves during flowering (in May) were the most suitable tissues for the virus detection by both methods (RT-PCR and ELISA). The leaves collected in summer (June, July and August) or other tissues such as bark, dormant buds and petals were not reliable for ASGV detection by ELISA.