First report of Pepino mosaic potexvirus in Italy
In the south of Sardegna (Italy), unusual virus symptoms were noticed in February and March 2001 on glasshouse tomatoes. The plants concerned were tomato cultivars Camone and Cronos grafted onto tomato rootstocks (cv. Beaufort) obtained from an Italian propagator. Symptoms were in fact first noticeable in October 2000 on a few plants, but by March 2001 more than 40;% of the tomato plants were affected by the disease. Symptoms were characterized by leaf chlorosis, scattered necrotic spots and mosaic. Some immature fruits showed colour alteration and later uneven ripening. Electron microscopy and serological assays revealed the presence of Pepino mosaic potexvirus (EPPO Alert List). This is the first report of this virus in Italy.
The situation of Pepino mosaic potexvirus in Italy can be described as follows: Present: found only in the south of Sardegna on glasshouse tomatoes.
Sources
Roggero, P.; Masenga, V.; Lenzi, R.; Coghe, F.; Ena, S.; Winter, S. (2001) First report of Pepino mosaic virus in tomato in Italy.
New Disease Reports, volume 3: February 2001 – July 2001.
http://www.bspp.org.uk/ndr/jul2001/2201-24.htm