Comparison of bioassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for quantification of Spodoptera frugiperda nuclear polyhedrosis virus in soil

Standard curves with known amounts of Spodoptera frugiperda nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) in soil were established with a bioassay and with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The bioassay detected as few as 4 × 10⁴ polyhedral inclusion bodies (PIB)/g sandy soil and <10 PIB/g soils with large amounts of silt or clay. The ELISA detected as few as 360 PIB/g in all three soil types, and absorbance values were inversely related to the amount of clay. Results of the bioassay and ELISA were significantly (P < 0.01) correlated for natural NPV from field samples of silt (R = 0.961) and sandy soil (R = 0.723). Soil samples from Louisiana pastures and corn fields contain up to 7.6 × 10⁴ PIB/g, and 2× 10⁴ PIB/g are commonly present.