Situation of plum pox potyvirus in France
Plum pox potyvirus (PPV - EPPO A2 quarantine pest) was first found in France in the 1970s, and was probably introduced on infected plant material. The serotype detected was PPV-D, and was mainly affecting apricot orchards. At the end of the 1980s, despite strict eradication measures an upsurge of the disease was observed particularly in peach orchards, and a new serotype was identified (PPV-M). From 1973 to 1990, it is estimated that 91,854 Prunus trees have been destroyed (as a curative or preventive measure). In France, PPV is mainly present in the south-east. Three regions are concerned: Languedoc-Roussillon, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Rhône-Alpes. When considering the number of affected trees during the last five years, after a progression in 1993, the situation appeared stable in 1994 with a significant reduction in 1995 (-23 %). However in 1996, the incidence of the disease rose again, essentially because of a sharp increase in the Rhône-Alpes region where most contaminations were due to PPV-M. In Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, disease incidence decreased and the situation was rather variable in Languedoc-Roussillon, depending on the foci studied. Intensive surveys and official control of the disease will continue in France.
Sources
Ferreira, B.; Volay, T. (1997) La sharka: une maladie d’actualité. Le point sur les situations régionales.
Phytoma – La Défense des Végétaux, no. 496, 13-16.