Articles
THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE ORNAMENTAL UNDUSTRY IN ISRAEL
In Israel, virus diseases are economically important due to the crop rotation practices.
Viruses with a wide host range are well adapted to survive in successive crops of the same plant grown throughout the year.
The use of plastic houses would favor the introduction of viruses more adapted to tropical and subtropical climates.
Many incidences on new virus diseases of ornamentals have been observed in Israel during the past 5 years.
In some cases previously unknown viruses were identified as the casual agents.
In the other cases, viruses which were known from other ornamental or non-ornamental plants were detected for the first time in new ornamental hosts.
The principal propagators in Israel have in recent years employed a variety of techniques to maintain small populations of protected plants that are propagated in large numbers and serve as the principal source of supply for the industry.
Many high value crops are produced entirely in plastic houses from propagation to final sale.
In spite of the quarantine regulations in Israel, the process of dispersal of pathogens by man continues,, especially because it started before virologists could investigate and record events.
Intensive research which enables the early recognition of potential dangers, close international cooperation among scientists, advice to growers and traders, and governmental measures are necessary in order to recognize potential dangers early and to develop efficient measures for the prevention of major damage.
A strict quarantine policy should be followed to prevent the establishment and distribution of new viral pests in this country.
This review will describe some of the viral diseases affecting ornamental crops that have been found and identified recently in Israel.