DETECTION AND ERADICATION OF PLUM POX VIRUS MARCUS TYPE IN ARAGÓN (SPAIN)

The aggressive type Marcus of Plum pox virus (PPV-M) was detected and subsequently eradicated in Spain. The disease was detected in peach ‘Royal Gem’ from three orchards located in Caspe (Zaragoza), province of Aragón, located in the Ebro Valley, and it was probably introduced by furtive propagation of infected plant material from foreign origin. The virus was also found in peach plots of cvs. ‘Gladys’ and ‘Calante’ grown in the vicinity of the infected ‘Royal Gem’, from which it was naturally transmitted by aphids. Serological and molecular analysis on symptomatic trees confirmed the presence of PPV-M in these plots and the segregation of the initial viral population into seven different haplotypes. Total removal of plots in which PPV-M was detected was done in July-August 2002. Extensive surveys in 2002 and 2003 in the area and in all Spanish peach growing areas confirmed the eradication of PPV-M in Spain.