Survey on Potato spindle tuber viroid and Tomato apical stunt viroid in ornamental plants in Croatia
From 2009 to 2012, a survey was conducted in Croatia to verify the presence of Potato spindle tuber viroid (Pospiviroid, PSTVd – EPPO A2 List) and other pospiviroids in ornamental plants. Although infected ornamentals do not show obvious symptoms of viroid infection, they might constitute a source of infection for susceptible crops of economic importance. In total, 182 samples were collected from 95 different locations and included 5 ornamental species (Solanum jasminoides, Lycianthus rantonnetii, Brugmansia sp., Petunia sp., Surfinia sp.) and 2 solanaceous crops, tomato and potato (Solanum lycopersion and S. tuberosum). Ornamental plants were sampled in retail trade sites, commercial nurseries and consignments of imported seedlings. Potato and tomato samples were collected from domestic field and glasshouse production, respectively. As a result, 8 plants (S. jasminoides and L. rantonnetii) were found to be infected by PSTVd and 1 plant of S. jasminoides was found to be infected by Tomato apical stunt viroid (TASVd – EPPO Alert List). In all cases, eradication measures were taken. No pospiviroid infection was detected in potato or tomato. The presence of PSTVd in Croatia in asymptomatic ornamentals had already been reported (see EPPO RS 2012/036), but this is the first time that TASVd is recorded in Croatia.
Sources
Milanović J, Kajić V, Milhaljević S (2014) Occurrence and molecular variability of Potato spindle tuber viroid and Tomato apical stunt viroid in ornamental plants in Croatia. European Journal of Plant Pathology 139(4), 785-788.