EPPO Global Database

EPPO Reporting Service no. 03 - 2010 Num. article: 2010/063

First report of Iris yellow spot virus in Greece


From February to June 2008, 530 onion (Allium cepa) and 439 leek (A. porrum) samples showing different types of lesions were collected from several areas of Greece and tested for the presence of Iris yellow spot virus (Tospovirus, IYSV – EPPO Alert List). All sampled plants were infested with Thrips tabaci. IYSV was detected in both onion and leek samples collected from different prefectures, suggesting that the virus is already well established in Greece.
  • On onion, IYSV was found in the following prefectures: Evros (detected in 36% of the tested samples), Heraklion (44%), Kavala (23.7%), Magnissia (61.7%), Pella (10%), Rodopi (55%), Thessaloniki (15.3%), Viotia (9.4%).
  • On leek, IYSV was found in the following prefectures: Evros (5%), Pella (9.3%), Thessaloniki (13%).
The situation of Iris yellow spot virus in Greece can be described as follows: Present, first found in 2008 in leek and onion crops, widespread.

Sources

Chatzivassiliou EK, Giavachtsia V, Orestiada N, Mehraban AH, Hoedjes K, Peters D (2009) Identification and incidence of Iris yellow spot virus, a new pathogen in onion and leek in Greece. Plant Disease 93(7), p 761.