Plum pox virus detected in Aquitaine and Midi-Pyrénées (FR)
The NPPO of France recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the detection of Plum pox virus (Potyvirus, PPV – EPPO A2 List) in two regions: Aquitaine and Midi-Pyrénées. The presence of PPV was detected for the first time in a nursery in Midi-Pyrénées region. Tracing-back studies showed that the PPV-infected material originated from another nursery in Aquitaine region which was also found to be infected. Further investigations will be carried out to determine the original source of this infection. Both nurseries were producing propagation material for the national (and even local) market, and no material belonging to the infested lots has been exported outside France. Phytosanitary measures are currently being taken: plant destruction, withdrawal of plant passports for the production sites concerned (i.e. all plots with propagation material of Prunus within a radius of 1000 m around the infected plot) for a minimum period of 3 years, intensive surveys in Prunus-growing plots within a radius of 2500 m around the infected sites, and testing of asymptomatic plants.
Sources
NPPO of France (2011-09).