Situation of plum pox potyvirus in Chile
In December 1992, symptoms of PPV were detected for the first time on leaves and fruits of apricot (cv. Bergeron) and fruits of peach (cv. Spring Crest) in the old collection of peach and apricot mother plants of the experimental station of INIA (Sub-Estacion Experimental del Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias - Los Tilos). The occurrence of PPV was confirmed by ELISA using polyclonal antiserum. Surveys were carried out and plum pox was found in two nurseries of the Metropolitan region on peaches and nectarines. In accordance with phytosanitary regulations, all infected plants were destroyed.
This first record of PPV outside the Old World was presented at the EPPO Conference on Plum Pox in October 1993. Since then, the EPPO Secretariat has been informed by the Chilean Plant Protection Service that after the destruction of infested material the disease has not been found again. Surveys have been carried out in 1993 and 1994, in 273 commercial orchards and 70 nurseries of Prunus, no symptoms have been observed and ELISA tests using monoclonal or polyclonal antisera gave negative results. A few false positive results were obtained with polyclonal antibodies, but the absence of PPV was later confirmed by using monoclonal antibodies, pathogenicity tests and PCR. Nevertheless, the Chilean Plant Protection Service will continue to monitor orchards and nurseries and to take quarantine measures against this disease.
Sources
Acuna, H. (1993) Outbreaks of plum pox virus in Chile.
Abstract presented at the EPPO Conference on Plum Pox (Bordeaux, FR, 1993-10-05/08).
EPPO Secretariat, 1994-06.