First finding of Pepino mosaic potexvirus in Slovakia
The NPPO of Slovakia recently notified the first finding of Pepino mosaic potexvirus (EPPO Alert List) on tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum). A survey was carried out in 2003 on commercial production sites of tomatoes, grown in the field and under protected conditions. Imported plants were also inspected. In 2003, in total, 58 inspections of 19,487 tomato plants (grown on 47.5 ha) were made. 13 samples (corresponding to 26 plants) were collected and tested by DAS ELISA in a diagnostic laboratory. Only one sample was found positive. This sample came from a plastic house in a leisure garden at Liptovský Mikuláš. All plants of this plastic house (grown on 7 m²) were immediately destroyed.
The situation of Pepino mosaic potexvirus in Slovakia can be described as follows: First reported in 2003, tomato plants grown in a small and non-commercial plastic house at Liptovský Mikuláš, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Slovakia, 2004-02