First report of Potato spindle tuber viroid in Croatia
Potato spindle tuber viroid (Pospiviroid, PSTVd – EPPO A2 List) was first detected in Croatia during a specific survey in 2009. In order to determine the presence of the pest, leaf samples of Solanum jasminoides, Solanum rantonnetii and Brugmansia spp. plants were collected at border inspection posts during import, at registered plant suppliers of imported plants and in nurseries. In total, 45 Solanum jasminoides, 9 Brugmansia spp. and 12 Solanum rantonnetii samples were tested in the laboratory using molecular methods (RT-PCR) and sequencing according to the EPPO Diagnostic protocol PM 7/33. The presence of PSTVd was detected in 5 samples collected from 4 locations: 3 Solanum jasminoides samples collected in Varaždin (Varaždinska county) and Umag (Istarska county) at points of unloading and sale of host plants, and 2 Solanum rantonnetii samples collected in Kutina (Sisačko-moslavačka county) and Ribnik (Karlovačka county) where mother plants and seedlings of host plants were produced. After confirmation of PSTVd infections, phytosanitary measures were taken. All infected plants, as well as their daughter plants which could be retrieved, were destroyed by incineration.
Following this first finding, specific surveys were carried out in 2010 and included the testing of other PSTVd host plants (Petunia, ‘Surfinia’, tomato and potato). No infection could be found in the tested plant material, but regular surveys will nevertheless continue in Croatia.
The pest status of Potato spindle tuber viroid in Croatia is officially declared as: Few outbreaks in 2009, eradication measures conducted, no new findings.
Sources
NPPO of Croatia (2011-11).