DIAGNOSIS OF VIRAL DISEASES IN STONE FRUITS CULTIVATED IN THE AZOREAN ISLANDS TERCEIRA AND GRACIOSA

Given the lack of information on the phytosanitary status of stone fruit trees grown in the Azorean Islands, a survey was initiated to determine the presence or absence of the main viruses that cause problems and economic losses worldwide, i.e. plum pox virus (PPV), prune dwarf virus (PDV), prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV) and apple chlorotic leafspot virus (ACLSV). Flower and leaf samples of plums (Prunus domestica, P. salicinia), peaches (P. persica) and apricots (P. armeniaca) grown in small orchards on different islands were collected from March until July 1996 and analyzed by Two-Step DAS-ELISA. It was not surprising to encounter samples that tested positive for PDV, PNRSV, and ACLSV, as these viruses are present worldwide in stone fruit orchards.
It was quite surprising to find PPV, since this pathogen is a quarantine organism and should therefore not be present in plant material leaving controlled nurseries.
However, it was mainly found in younger plants planted recently in previously existing orchards, therefore, representing a recent introduction since PPV has been present in mainland Portugal since 1984. Finally, we confirmed these results by immunocapture – reverse transcription – polymerase chain reaction.

XVII International Symposium Virus and Virus-Like Diseases of Temperate Fruit Crops

D. Mendonça, M.S. Lopes, A. da Câmara Machado, M. Laimer da Câmara Machado

ELISA, immunocapture-PCR, plum pox virus, prunus necrotic ringspot virus, prune dwarf virus, apple chlorotic leafspot virus, Prunus

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1998.472.68