Archivio Journal of Plant Pathology

Abstract:

Plum pox virus (PPV) is increasingly endangering plum production in Croatia. This study aimed at determining the presence of this virus in autochthonous plum genotypes and at identifying plum trees of particular genotypes, not infected by it. To sort out the broad array of synonyms used in plum variety naming, the samples were submitted to genetic analysis, for defining their affiliation to a particular genotype (variety). In addition, the presence and frequency was assessed of Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV) and Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV) infections in autochthonous plum genotypes. In 2005, leaf and fruit samples from 54 trees were collected in seven Croatian counties, Osjecko-baranjska, Vukovarsko- srijemska, Pozesko-slavonska, Brodsko-posavska, Viroviticko-podravska, Sisacko-moslavacka and Lickosenjska. The variety Bistrica is cultivated in all seven areas while the other cultivars (Bela staroverska, Bijela rana, Bjelica jajara, Brdaklija, Cericanka, Crnica, Dabinka, Debeljara, Glodara, Kalaca, Kamenjara, Komocanka, Mandalenka, Miholjcanka, Pasjara, Pintara, Plavica, Ruzica, Sitna bijelica, Torgulja, Ilinjaca, Trnovaca and Valpovka) were found in particular locations of specific counties. Serological tests were used for establishing the presence of the three viruses. PPV was detected in four plum genotypes, three of which (cv. Glodara from Dolci, cv. Pasjara from Viljevo and cv. Bistrica from Podvrsko) contained the virus in both leaves and fruits, while cv. Glodara from Crkvari contained PPV only in the leaves. All the other plum genotypes tested were found to be PPV-free. PNRSV was detected in two genotypes. It was found both in the leaves and fruits of cv. Komocanka from Caglin, while only the leaves of cv. Debeljara from Batina were infected by this virus. None of the tested plum accessions was infected by ACLSV. Likewise, none of the three viruses was detected in 48 of 54 trees investigated.