First reports of Potato spindle tuber viroid and Citrus exocortis viroid in ornamental Solanaceae in Australia
In order to investigate the viroid status of a variety of solanaceous crops, ornamental plants and weed hosts, a survey was conducted from June to September 2012 in Queensland, Australia. A total of 8601 symptomless plants were sampled and tested. Samples were collected from 25 open-field and protected plant production and nursery facilities located across the state, including weeds and volunteer plants collected on-site or nearby these facilities. The presence of Potato spindle tuber viroid (Pospiviroid, EPPO A2 List) was detected in 1 bulked sample of Solanum jasminoides. Citrus exocortis viroid (Pospiviroid) was found in 2 separate bulked samples of Petunia spp. and one bulked sample of petchoa (Petunia x Calibrachoa).This is the first time that pospiviroids infecting ornamental plants are detected in Australia.
Sources
van Brunschot SL, Persley DM, Roberts A, Thomas JE (2014) First report of pospiviroids infecting ornamental plants in Australia: Potato spindle tuber viroid in Solanum laxum (synonym S. jasminoides) and Citrus exocortis viroid in Petunia spp. New Disease Reports 29, 3. http://dx.doi.org/10.5197/j.2044-0588.2014.029.003