Unusual ilarvirus of tomato found in Greece and Southern Italy
An unusual ilarvirus of tomato serologically related to Parietaria mottle ilarvirus has been reported in Italy and in the south of France (see EPPO RS 2000/081). This virus causes a necrotic disease of tomato. Symptoms are characterized by necrotic spots on the leaves, corky rings and brown patches on fruits. In Italy, it was sporadically observed in Piemonte, Liguria, Lazio and Sardegna. Recently, this virus was also found in symptomatic tomato plants collected from 1997 to 1999 in Greece and Southern Italy. In Greece, the virus was detected in tomato samples from Mount Athos (Chalkidiki Prefecture), Arethoussa and Vasilika (Thessaloniki Prefecture). In Italy, it was sporadically detected in Campania, Basilicata, Sicilia and Puglia.
Sources
Roggero, P.; Ciuffo, M.; Katis, N.; Alioto, D.; Crescenzi, A.; Parrella, G.; Gallitelli, D. (2000) Disease Note – Necrotic disease in tomatoes in Greece and Southern Italy caused by the tomato strain of Parietaria mottle virus.
Journal of Plant Pathology, 80(2), p 159.