Incursion of Potato spindle tuber viroid in ornamental Solanaceae in Germany
The NPPO of Germany recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of an incursion of Potato spindle tuber viroid (Pospiviroid, PSTVd – EPPO A2 List) in Nordrhein-Westfalen. An earlier finding had been made in 2006 on imported material of Solanum jasminoides and successfully eradicated (see EPPO RS 2006/159). During testing of ornamental plants of Solanaceae for the establishment of mother plants for propagation, PSTVd was detected in 17 companies. Ornamental species concerned were Solanum jasminoides, Solanum rantonnetii, Datura sp., Brugmansia suaveolens and Brugmansia variegata. The infected plants did not show any symptoms. The pathogen was identified by RT-PCR. Some lots originated from another EU Member State, but most of the lots had been produced by the companies concerned from their own mother plants. All companies were obliged to destroy the infected lots under official control.
The pest status of Potato spindle tuber viroid in Germany is officially declared as follows: Transient in one area; actionable, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Germany, 2006-02.