Strawberry vein banding virus detected in Italy
In Italy during regular surveys on strawberry crops, the regional Plant Protection Service of Emilia-Romagna detected the presence of Strawberry vein banding virus (Caulimovirus, SVBV - EPPO A2 List) in 2008. In addition to SVBV, two other viruses were detected, Apple mosaic virus (Ilarvirus - EU Annexes) and Strawberry chlorotic fleck virus*. These viruses were identified with molecular diagnostic tools (PCR and RT-PCR with specific primers and positive controls provided by the USDA/ARS National Germplasm Repository of Corvallis, Oregon, USA). In the nursery concerned, infected strawberry plants were destroyed. However, some strawberry plants belonging to a collection of old varieties were not destroyed but they will be maintained under quarantine (screen house) and will not be allowed to be further multiplied.
The situation of Strawberry vein banding virus in Italy can be described as follows: Present, occasionally found, under official control.
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* Chlorotic fleck is a graft- and aphid-transmitted disease of strawberry which was identified more than 45 years ago in Louisiana (US) but its causal agent has remained unknown. Recent studies have shown that the disease was associated with several viruses, including a previously undescribed Closterovirus which was tentatively called Strawberry chlorotic fleck virus. Detection methods have subsequently been developed for its identification (Tzanetakis and Martin, 2007).
Sources
NPPO of Italy, 2009-02.
Tzanetakis IE, Martin RR (2007) Strawberry chlorotic fleck: identification and characterization of a novel Closterovirus associated with the disease. Virus Research 124(1/2), 88-94 (abst.).