Surveys on plum pox potyvirus in Chile
In December 1992, symptoms of plum pox potyvirus (PPV - EPPO A2 quarantine pest) were detected for the first time in Chile on apricot and peach at the experimental station of INIA (Los Tilos) and in 2 nurseries in the Metropolitan region on peaches and nectarines. At that time all infected plants were destroyed and the virus was no longer found (EPPO RS 94/145). Surveys were then conducted in Chile during the 1995/96, 1996/97 and 1997/98 growing seasons on peaches, apricots, plums and nectarines grown in the main stonefruit-growing areas (Santiago Metropolitan region, north part: regions III and IV, and south part: regions V and VI). In total, 10,051 samples were collected and tested (ELISA, PCR). Results showed that 15.2 % samples were infected by PPV, and that the virus was present in all stonefruit-growing areas of Chile. Infection rates were respectively 15.3 %, 17.2%, 8.3%, 1.9% for peaches, nectarines, plums and apricots. Infection rates varied between regions, but significant symptoms of PPV were only seen in the Metropolitan region. The molecular characterization of the Chilean isolates showed that they belong to the PPV-D (Dideron) type.
Sources
Herrera, G.; Sepúlveda, P.; Madariaga, M. (1998) Survey of sharka disease (plum pox virus ) on stone fruit trees in Chile.
Acta Horticulturae, 472, 393-399.
Rosales, M.; Hinrichsen, P.; Herrera, G. (1998) Molecular characterization of plum pox virus isolated from apricots, plums and peaches in Chile.
Acta Horticulturae, 472, 401-411.