American plum line pattern virus detected again in Italy
The NPPO of Italy recently informed the EPPO Secretariat that the American plum line pattern virus (Ilarvirus, APLPV - EPPO A1 List) has been detected in the Piemonte region. During indexing studies carried out in spring 2009 on flowering cherry trees (Prunus serrulata), 2 symptomatic plants were noticed in the municipality of Verbania (province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola). Laboratory analysis (ELISA and RT-PCR) confirmed the presence of APLPV. It can be recalled that APLPV had been detected on a small number of Prunus samples collected from Puglia and Sicilia, as well as from other Mediterranean countries (EPPO RS 2003/118).
EPPO note: more studies are needed to understand better the current situation of this North American virus in Europe and in particular to assess its impact on Prunus crops.
Sources
NPPO of Italy, 2010-03.
Myrta A, Sanchez-Navarro, Potere O, Boscia D, Pallás V (2009) First report of American plum line pattern virus in flowering cherry in Italy. Journal of Plant Pathology 91(4 suppl.), S4.75.