First report of Chrysanthemum stunt viroid in Finland
In April 2009, the presence of Chrysanthemum stunt viroid (Pospiviroid, CSVd – EPPO A2 List) was detected for the first time in Finland on planting material of Petunia. The viroid was detected by conventional RT-PCR (using Pospi1 primers) and identified by sequencing; positive results were also confirmed by the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) in the United Kingdom by using TaqMan-PCR. Investigations showed that CSVd had spread to 8 places of production in Finland with planting material of Petunia (cv. ‘Littletunia breezy pink’) which had been originally imported from Sweden. Appropriate treatments and quarantine measures were applied to eradicate CSVd.
The pest status of Chrysanthemum stunt viroid in Finland is officially declared as: Present, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Finland, 2009-04.