First report of Tomato chlorotic dwarf viroid on Petunia in the Czech Republic
Following the recent findings of Potato spindle tuber viroid (Pospiviroid, PSTVd- EPPO A2 List) in ornamental Solanaceae in Europe, official surveys on viroids were carried out in the Czech Republic. During these surveys, Tomato chlorotic dwarf viroid (Pospiviroid, TCDVd) was detected (PCR, sequencing) on Petunia grown in protected conditions without causing any symptoms. During autumn 2007, samples were taken in different firms in the Opava district (Moravian-Silesian region). TCDVd was first detected in a sample taken on the 2007-10-08 from a lot of 80 plants of Petunia x hybrida ‘Surfinia’ which had been propagated by the grower. A second finding occurred on Petunia of various origins therefore the source of infection could not be retraced. A third finding was made on Petunia x hybrida ‘Surfinia’ imported from Portugal. In all 3 cases, phytosanitary measures were applied to eradicate TCDVd and all plants of the affected lots were destroyed. It can be recalled that TCDVd has also been found recently on Petunia (asymptomatic) in the United Kingdom as well as on tomatoes in North America which caused severe symptoms (see EPPO RS 2008/006).
The pest status of Tomato chlorotic dwarf viroid in the Czech Republic is officially declared as follows: Present, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of the Czech Republic, 2008-02.