Variability among American and European isolates of strawberry vein banding caulimovirus
In Czechia, molecular studies (coat protein sequence homology) have been carried out to determine the variability among isolates of strawberry vein banding caulimovirus (EPPO A2 quarantine pest). The study included 5 different isolates: one from USA and five from Europe (Czechia (2), Germany, Norway). Results showed that no significant differences could be found between the isolates. The authors felt that European isolates probably originate from a common ancestor and may have been introduced to Europe from America with planting or breeding material. Finally, they noted that the use of molecular techniques (such as PCR or hybridization), in addition to grafting on indicator plants, would be a very useful diagnostic tool for quarantine and certification purposes.
EPPO note: strawberry vein banding caulimovirus has been found in a few places in Czechia, but the Plant Protection Service of Germany and Norway have stated that the virus has so far never been found in production fields of strawberry. The isolate from Germany (cv. Chandler from Weinsberg near Stuttgart) came from plants which had been imported. The Norwegian isolate was found on cv. Mimek in the south of the country, but plants had been imported from Denmark for scientific purposes (Denmark then stated that the virus has never been found in its strawberry production).
Sources
Mráz, I.; Petrzik, K.; Šíp, M.; Fránová-Honetslegrová, J. (1998) Variability in coat protein sequence homology among American and European sources of strawberry vein banding virus.
Plant Disease, 85(2), 544-546.