New virus of apricot found in France: Apricot latent ringspot nepovirus
During an extensive field survey in 1994, apricot trees (Prunus armeniaca cv. Modesto) showed virus symptoms in a commercial orchard in the southeast of France. Trees appeared denuded, with reduced foliage and a bare and skeletal appearance. Fruits were few but were normal in appearance. Samples were taken and biological, serological and molecular tests revealed the presence of a new and distinct nepovirus. The name Apricot latent ringspot nepovirus has been proposed. No information is yet available on the distribution and impact of the disease, nor on the epidemiology of the virus (host range, potential vectors…).
Sources
Gentit, P.; Delbos, R.P.; Candresse, T.; Dunez, J. (2001) Characterization of a new nepovirus infecting apricot in Southeastern France: apricot latent ringspot nepovirus.
European Journal of Plant Pathology, 107(5), 485-494.