Blueberry scorch virus detected in Trentino-Alto Adige and Piemonte regions, Italy
In 2004, the presence of Blueberry scorch virus (Carlavirus, BlScV – EPPO A2 List) was reported for the first time in Europe. BlScV was detected in a small number of Vaccinium corymbosum plants cultivated in Piemonte region, Italy (EPPO RS 2005/101). In 2009, the NPPO of Italy again reported the presence of BlScV in Piemonte (4 outbreaks) and in a new area in the region of Trentino-Alto Adige (1 outbreak).
- Trentino-Alto Adige
The Regional PPO of the region of Trentino-Alto Adige detected the presence of BlScV in the municipality of Carzano (Bassa Valsugana e Tesino, province of Trento). The virus was detected in a glasshouse (1700 m²) on 2 plants only (1 Vaccinium corymbosum and 1 V. ashei). The 2 infected plants were destroyed. Surveys were initiated in the surroundings to determine the extent of the disease. Seven production sites and 3 nurseries producing planting material of Vaccinium were inspected and samples were collected. All tested samples gave negative results.
- Piemonte
The Regional PPO of the region of Piemonte detected the presence of BlScV in the municipalities of Campiglione Fenile (Torino province), Brondello (Cuneo province), San Damiano Macra (Cuneo province) and Costigliole Saluzzo (Cuneo province). In Costigliole Saluzzo, 7 200 Vaccinium plants (3.8 ha) were destroyed and surveys which were conducted afterwards did not detect the virus in this area. In the other outbreak sites, infested plants were destroyed, as follows:
- Campiglione Fenile: 37 infested plants were removed (corresponding to 5% of the crop),
- San Damiano Macra: 20 infested plants were removed (2%),
- Brondello: 20 infested plants were removed (7%).
In the Piemonte region, surveys have been carried out in the main nurseries producing Vaccinium planting material. In addition to visual inspections, samples have systematically been collected and tested in the laboratory. So far, all results were negative.
The situation of Blueberry scorch virus in Italy can be described as follows: Present, first found in 2004 in Piemonte, several outbreaks were reported in 2009 in Piemonte (4 outbreaks) and Trentino-Alto Adige (1 outbreak), under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Italy, 2009-09 and 2009-11.