Surveys on viruses and viroids of stone fruits in Syria
Surveys on viruses and viroids of stone fruits were done in Syria, in 7 Governorates (Damascus, Daraa, Al Swidaa, Homs, Hama, Edleb and Aleppo) representing the main stone fruit-growing areas. Stone fruits are important crops in Syria, particularly in southern and central parts of the country (total area is about 82,759 ha with an annual production of 257,000 t). Samples were collected from private and commercial orchards, varietal collections and national mother blocks used for seed and budwood production and tested (ELISA, herbaceous and woody indicators, dot-blot). A total of 1337 samples were tested (444 apricot, 283 peach, 246 cherry, 222 almond and 142 plum). The overall infection rate was 13% (peach 24%, cherry 16%, almond 13.5%, apricot 6%, plum 5%). The following pathogens were detected: Prunus necrotic ringspot ilarvirus, Prune dwarf ilarvirus, Apple chlorotic leaf spot trichovirus, Plum pox potyvirus (PPV - EPPO A2 quarantine pest), Apple mosaic ilarvirus (EPPO A2 quarantine pest), Peach latent mosaic pelamoviroid and Hop stunt hostuviroid. Plum pox potyvirus (PPV-M strain) was detected in 1 apricot tree. PPV had previously been reported from Syria, but it seems that the destruction of infected trees carried out by local institutions was effective in controlling the disease. It was concluded that the sanitary situation of stone-fruit trees in Syria was generally satisfactory but that national certification programmes were desirable.
Sources
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Ismaeil, F.; Myrta, A.; Abou Ghanem-Sabanadzovic, N.; Al Chaabi, S.; Savino, V. (2002) Viruses and viroids of stone fruits in Syria.
Bulletin OEPP/EPPO Bulletin, 32(3), 485-488.
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