Update on the situation of tobacco ringspot virus in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, tobacco ringspot virus (Nepovirus, TRSV – EPPO A2 List) has been found since 2000 in different ornamental plants: Bacopa, Portulaca (EPPO RS 2001/045), Celosia, Hemerocallis, Iris ensata, Iris siberica (RS 2007/007), Iris germanica (RS 2018/228) and Phlox subulata (RS 2011/087). TRSV was last detected in August 2019 in a company producing plants for planting of Ajuga reptans. This detection was made during a specific survey whereby asymptomatic plants in 30 locations have been sampled and tested. This survey specifically targeted Ajuga, following two positive testing records (non-official) of two lots during 2018, of which one originated in a non-EU country and the other in the Netherlands. Following this outbreak a specific survey was carried out for all clonally-related lots of A. reptans. Four out of five lots of rooted cuttings (at five wholesale nurseries) have been traced in the Netherlands and have been destroyed. Five lots have been delivered to two other EU Member States, which have been duly informed. Following the surveys in 2019 and 2020, no further findings of TRSV in A. reptans were detected and this outbreak is considered eradicated.
The NPPO of the Netherlands, considering the large number of findings of TRSV on their territory and elsewhere in the EU, presumes that TRSV is more widespread in the EU than currently known, both in terms of geographical distribution and in terms of host plants. In case of future findings, measures will be taken for infected lots (destruction) to prevent spread of the virus. Following a finding, the Netherlands will no longer test all other (potential) host plants at a company. Specific TRSV surveys will only be carried out in the case of new findings.
The pest status of tobacco ringspot virus in the Netherlands is officially declared as: Present, [other] findings in multiple species of ornamental plants for planting.
Sources
NPPO of the Netherlands (2021-12). https://english.nvwa.nl/topics/pest-reporting/documents/plant/plant-health/pest-reporting/documents/pest-report-tobacco-ringspot-virus-trsv-new-pest-status-nl