EPPO Global Database

EPPO Reporting Service no. 09 - 2000 Num. article: 2000/132

Pepino mosaic potexvirus found in Spain


Pepino mosaic potexvirus (EPPO Alert List) is reported in Spain on tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum). This virus has been detected on tomato samples from Murcia, Almería and also from Canary islands (Santa Cruz in Tenerife, Las Palmas in Gran Canaria). However, no details are given on the extent of the disease in the field and the severity of symptoms observed on tomato crops. The status of pepino mosaic potexvirus in Spain can be described as: Present: only in some areas.
It is noted that “pepino dulce” (Solanum muricatum) is cultivated on a small scale in Spain. This crop can be affected by various viruses (the most serious being tomato mosaic tobamovirus), but so far pepino mosaic potexvirus has not been found on Spanish S. muricatum crops. The origin of the introduction of pepino mosaic potexvirus into Spain is unknown, but it is speculated that this virus was not introduced with pepino as this material was imported in small quantities and under quarantine conditions, but most probably with tomato material from the Netherlands which is subject to large volumes of trade.

In Europe, it can be recalled that pepino mosaic potexvirus was first found in January 1999 in the Netherlands (in approximately 50 tomato glasshouses) and then in United Kingdom in 2 tomato glasshouses (south of England). Two cases were reported in tomato glasshouses in Germany in 1999. An isolated finding was reported in one tomato glasshouse in Bretagne in France, in 2000 and was subsequently eradicated. Within the EU, precautionary measures have been taken to prevent any further spread of this virus (see EPPO RS 2000/003, 2000/062 and EPPO Technical Document No. 1037).


Sources

Jordá, C.; Lázaro, A.; Font, I.; Lacasa, A.; Guerrero, M.M.; Cano, A. (2000) Nueva enfermeded en el tomate.
Phytoma-España, no. 119, 23-28.

Prohens, J.; Leiva-Brondo, M.; Soler, S.; Nuez, F. (2000) Virosis del pepino dulce.
Phytoma-España, no. 119, 30-38.

Report of the 38the Meeting of the Working Party on Phytosanitary Regulations, Tirana (AL), 2000-06-20/23.
EPPO Technical Document, No. 1037, 2000-06.