Plant virus transmission can be via many ways, including instruments, insect bites, leaf wounds, etc. Once infected, the plant is not easily to be cured, and the virus could be transmitted before the symptoms can be seen, causing a greater prevalence. Therefore, early detection of viral infection, and isolation or elimination of diseased plants are critical to plant virus control.

Conventional virus detection methods such as PCR and ELISA are costly, time-consuming, and require experienced operators, which restrict the methods’ applicability in field (onsite?) mass screening. Lateral flow immunoassay is a simple cellulose-based technique which makes up the drawbacks of the conventional methods. It relies on specific antigen antibody binding to detect the presence or absence of the target analysis without the requirement of equipment and trained people. The method is fast and easy-to-do and test results can be interpreted visually.