Pepino mosaic virus detected in Campania (IT)
During an inspection carried out in late autumn 2010, symptoms of a virus disease were observed on 2 tomato plants in a glasshouse producing tomato fruits in Campania region, Italy. This glasshouse of approximately 3000 m² was located in the municipality of Gragnano (province of Napoli). Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of Pepino mosaic virus (Potexvirus, PepMV – EPPO Alert List) in leaf samples collected from these 2 symptomatic plants, as well in several asymptomatic plants located in their immediate vicinity. All infected tomato plants were immediately destroyed. Studies are being undertaken to characterize the isolates found in Campania. This is the first time that PepMV is detected in this Italian region and on the mainland. Previously, the virus had only been detected in the islands of Sardegna and Sicilia where it was subjected to eradication measures (EPPO RS 2001/087, 2005/072 and 2007/080). According to the NPPO, the results of official surveys carried out in 2010 showed that PePMV was no longer found in Sardegna but that 5 outbreaks were detected in Sicilia.
The situation of Pepino mosaic virus in Italy can be described as follows: Present, few records (in 2010: 5 outbreaks in Sicilia and 1 in Campania), under eradication.
Sources
NPPO (2011-07).
Parrella G, Cennamo G, De Blasio A, Spigno P (2011) Trovato in Campania il virus del mosaic del pepino su pomodoro. L’Informatore Agrario no. 12, 88-89.