First report of pepino mosaic virus in Serbia
During a survey on tomato viruses conducted in Serbia, virus-like symptoms were observed in July 2019 in tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum) grown in 2 separate plastic tunnels in Bogojevce village (Jablanica district). Affected plants showed yellow angular spots on the leaves accompanied by necrosis and distortion, as well as fruit discoloration. In these 2 tomato crops, disease incidence was estimated at 80%. Laboratory analysis (serological, molecular, and biological tests) confirmed the presence of pepino mosaic virus (Potexvirus, PepMV – EPPO A2 List) in all tested symptomatic samples. Sequence analysis of the CP gene revealed that all Serbian PepMV isolates were identical (among themselves) and shared the highest nucleotide identity with an isolate from Spain. Phylogenetic analysis also showed that Serbian isolates belonged to CH2 (Chile-2 strain) but formed a separate subgroup within CH2.
The situation of pepino mosaic virus in Serbia can be described as follows: Present, only in some areas (first found in 2019 in 1 locality, Jablanica district).
Sources
Stankovic I, Vucurovic A, Zecevic K, Petrovic B, Ristic D, Vucurovic I, Krstic B (2020) Pepino mosaic virus, a new threat for Serbia’s tomatoes. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research 18(4), e10SC05. https://doi.org/10.5424/sjar/2020184-16244