Virus diseases of stone-fruit trees in East Anatolia, Turkey
The Turkish production of stone-fruit is about 1.3 million tons per year, and East Anatolia contributes to 20 % of this national production and more particularly to 57 % of the apricot production. In 1998 and 1999, surveys were carried out in the main stone-fruit-growing areas of East Anatolia (provinces of Malatya, Elazig and Igdir) to assess the incidence of virus diseases. Varietal collections, mother blocks and commercial orchards of stone-fruit trees were inspected; samples were collected and tested (ELISA, transmission to herbaceous and woody indicators, molecular hybridisation tests). In total, 1019 samples were tested (859 apricot, 120 cherry, 21 almond and 19 peach). Results showed that the phytosanitary status of apricot crops was satisfactory, as less than 0.3 % virus infection level was found. However, other stone-fruit crops were more heavily infected (cherry, almond, peach showed 21%, 33%, 16 % infection respectively). The following viruses were identified: Apple chlorotic leaf spot trichovirus, Prune dwarf ilarvirus and Prunus necrotic ringspot nepovirus. The following pathogens were not detected: Plum pox potyvirus (EPPO A2 quarantine pest), Apple mosaic ilarvirus, Tomato black ring nepovirus (EU Annexes), Raspberry ringspot nepovirus (EPPO A2 quarantine pest), Strawberry latent ringspot (EU Annexes), Cherry leaf roll nepovirus, Arabis mosaic nepovirus (EU Annexes), Tomato ringspot nepovirus (EPPO A2 quarantine pest), Peach latent mosaic pelamoviroid, Hop stunt hostuviroid. It is stressed that Plum pox potyvirus which is known to occur in other regions of Turkey (in the Marmara area in Central Anatolia region and in the Aegean region) represents a serious threat to the East Anatolia production. To prevent its spread, internal quarantine measures and certification programmes are necessary.
Sources
|
Sipahioglu, H.M.; Myrta, A.; Abou-Ghanem, N.; Di Terlizzi, B.; Savino, V. (1999) Sanitary status of stone-fruit trees in East Anatolia (Turkey) with particular reference to apricot.
Bulletin OEPP/EPPO Bulletin, 29(4), 439-442.
|