Tobacco ringspot virus and Tomato ringspot virus found in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, Tobacco ringspot virus (Nepovirus, TRSV – EPPO A2 List) was detected in August 2018 in 4 lots of plants for planting of Iris germanica (cvs. Indian Chief, Swahili and Gleaming Gold) at different locations, and in 1 lot of Hemerocallis (cv. Happy Returns). In 1 sample of Iris germanica cv. Swahili, a mixed infection of TRSV and Tomato ringspot virus (Nepovirus, ToRVS – EPPO A2 List) was detected. These finding were made during a specific survey whereby asymptomatic plants from 30 locations were sampled and tested. The Dutch NPPO noted that TRSV has been reported several times since 2000. TRSV was found in plants for planting of Bacopa (2000, 2006), Celosia (2008), Portulaca (2000, 2006, 2007), Hemerocallis (2006), Iris ensata (2006), Iris sibirica (2006), Iris germanica (2017) and Phlox subulata (2010, 2018). In each case, outbreaks were subjected to phytosanitary measures and all outbreaks from 2000 to 2017 were eradicated. For ToRSV, the NPPO noted that this is the first confirmed finding in the Netherlands (earlier cases were directly linked to imports of infected plant material). The source of these infections is not known but is probably related to vegetative propagation since the nematode vectors (species belonging to the Xiphinema americanum complex) are absent from the Netherlands. Eradication measures are being taken against both viruses and specific surveys will continue in 2018 and 2019.
The pest status of both viruses (TRSV and ToRSV) is officially declared as: Transient, actionable, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of the Netherlands (2018-09).