Archivio Journal of Plant Pathology

Abstract:

Sharka, caused by Plum pox virus (PPV), is the most destructive viral disease of plum, apricot and peach. Although PPV is widespread in all fruit-growing areas of eastern European countries, and causes serious yield losses, little is known about its occurrence and distribution in Kosovo. Therefore, a survey was conducted in orchards and nurseries at 18 sites located in seven different districts to verify the presence of PPV and to determine the virus strains occurring in the country by serological and molecular tools (ELISA and PCR). Field observations and laboratory analysis disclosed a very high incidence of PPV in nurseries and orchards at all locations. Characterization of 26 isolates representative of all surveyed sites and Prunus species, revealed a predominance of PPV-Rec (23 out of 26), and a low incidence of PPV-M and PPV-D.