First record of Tomato apical stunt viroid on Solanum jasminoides in Finland
In June 2008, the presence of Tomato apical stunt viroid (Pospiviroid, TASVd – EPPO Alert List) was reported for the first time in Finland. TASVd was detected in a Finnish glasshouse on symptomless Solanum jasminoides plants which had been imported from the Netherlands. The contaminated consignments were destroyed. The infected sample had been collected for a survey of another viroid Potato spindle tuber viroid (EPPO A2 List) which has not been detected in Finland, so far. The Finnish NPPO warns tomato growers about the risk of spreading viroids such as TASVd and PSTVd on symptomless ornamental plants of the Solanaceae family. Tomato growers are advised to grown tomatoes in areas which are well separated from other Solanaceae.
The situation of Tomato apical stunt viroid in Finland can be described as follows: Transient, detected in June 2008 on symptomless Solanum jasminoides in a single glasshouse, infected plants were destroyed.
Sources
EVIRA website (last accessed in 2008-07). New tomato pathogen found in Finland (2008-06-05). http://www.evira.fi/portal/en/evira/current_issues/?id=1097