New variant of Little cherry closterovirus found in British Columbia, Canada
So far, three viruses associated with little cherry disease (EU Annexes) have been described (see EPPO RS 2002/048): Little cherry closterovirus-1 (LChV-1) which was first found and described in Germany, LChV-2 which corresponds to an isolate from USA, and LChV-3 which was found and described in British Columbia, Canada. Despite similarities in symptom development in orchard trees and woody indicators, the three viruses have distinct molecular sequences. During regular surveys conducted in Okanagan and Kootenay valleys (British Columbia), a fourth type of isolate tentatively called LChV-4 was found. More studies are needed to compare this variant with other viruses associated with little cherry disease.
Sources
Bernardy, M.G.; French, C.J.; Milks, M.; Jesperson, G. (2002) New variant of Little cherry virus associated with little cherry disease of sweet cherry in British Columbia, Canada. Plant Disease, 86(12), p 1406.