Incidental finding of Potato spindle tuber viroid in tomatoes in the Netherlands
The NPPO of the Netherlands recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of an incidental finding of Potato spindle tuber viroid (Pospiviroid, PSTVd – EPPO A2 List) in tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum). In the Southeastern part of the Netherlands, a grower who had observed suspicious symptoms on several plants in one row (366 plants) of a tomato fruit production greenhouse, sent samples to a laboratory in a neighbouring EU member state. At the end of June 2013, the laboratory confirmed the presence of PSTVd in the tested samples and these results were verified by a Dutch inspector on 2013-07-05. No symptoms were observed by the NPPO, because the grower had destroyed and removed the affected row of plants from the greenhouse. Investigations are on-going to determine the origin of this infection. The affected greenhouse has been placed under quarantine, and hygiene measures have been imposed. Considering that the disease was found in a confined environment, the NPPO expects that PSTVd will be eradicated.
The pest status of Potato spindle tuber viroid in the Netherlands is officially declared as:
Transient in ornamentals, no findings in 2012.
Absent from the entire potato production chain (Solanum tuberosum) based on specific surveillance.
Incidental finding in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruit production in 2013, under eradication.
Not known to occur in pepper (Capsicum L.).
Sources
NPPO of the Netherlands (2013-07).