First report of Pepino mosaic potexvirus in Bulgaria
Since 2003, surveys are being conducted in Bulgaria for the presence of Pepino mosaic potexvirus (EPPO Alert List) in protected crops. In 2003, a total of 267 tomato samples was collected and tested. All results were negative. At the beginning of 2004, 88 tomato samples presenting leaf distortion and mosaic were sent to the Central Laboratory of Plant Quarantine and tested by DAS-ELISA. The presence of Pepino mosaic potexvirus was detected in 14 samples. Infected plants had been grown from seeds (cv. Monroe) imported from the Netherlands, and further testing on tomato seeds gave also positive results. The glasshouse where infection had been found was declared a quarantine area and the NPPO took strict eradication measures. The situation of Pepino mosaic potexvirus in Bulgaria can be described as follows: Present, found in one glasshouse of tomato in 2004, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of BG, 2004-05.