A virus has been found in association with strawberry pallidosis disease
The etiology of pallidosis, a latent disease of strawberry identified more than 45 years ago remains unknown. Pallidosis was first reported in California (US) and Australia in 1957. Since then, it has been found in eastern Canada, Arkansas and Maryland (US). Recent studies in USA, have revealed the presence of a crinivirus associated with the disease. This virus is tentatively called Strawberry pallidosis associated virus (SpaV). In addition, an RT-PCR test has been developed to detect it specifically in strawberry material.
EPPO note: Pallidosis has never been reported from Europe. Its agent is graft-transmissible and in the EPPO certification scheme for strawberry (PM 4/11(1)), when starting with imported material, it was recommended to verify its absence using Fragaria virginiana indicators (UC-10 and UC-11).
Sources
Tzanetakis, I.E.; Halgren, A.B.; Keller, K.E.; Hokanson, K.C.; McCarthy, P.L.; Martin, R.R. (2004) Identification and detection of a virus associated with strawberry pallidosis disease.
Plant Disease, 88(4), 383-390.