Outbreak of Potato spindle tuber viroid in tomato in the United Kingdom
In July 2011, an outbreak of Potato spindle tuber viroid (Pospiviroid, PSTVd – EPPO A2 List) was confirmed in a commercial glasshouse producing tomato fruits in East Yorkshire, north of England (GB). In this glasshouse, two rows of approximately 100 plants were affected by the disease (out of a total of 5;000 plants, so approximately 2% of the plants). The origin of this outbreak could not be identified. Official measures have been imposed at the premises to prevent any further spread of PSTVd and eradicate the disease. These measures include hygiene and waste disposal requirements and restrictions on the marketing of tomato fruits. It can be recalled that an earlier outbreak had been detected in a tomato glasshouse in 2003 in the south-east of England, but was subsequently eradicated (EPPO RS 2003/100).
The pest status of Potato spindle tuber viroid in the United Kingdom is officially declared as: Transient, actionable, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of the United Kingdom (2011-08).