Direct isolation of tobacco necrosis virus from soils

Summary In TNV-bearing soils, the virus occurred adsorbed to soil colloids in low levels. By direct assay, the TNV could be more readily isolated from the rhizosphere of naturally infected cluster bean plants. The level of reaction of the TNV isolated from the rhizosphere soil was the same as TNV-D (cb isolate) in precipitin ring tests with antisera against TNV-A and TNV-D. The phenomenon of release of TNV from the infected roots into the soil and adsorption of TNV particles to colloidal particles in the soil are discussed from the point of ecology and stability of TNV in soils.