Protection measures against Plum pox virus

Abstract

Plum pox virus is one of the most studied viruses due to the economic damage it can causes, as well as large investments required for its control and prevention. The main hosts are species that belong to the genus Prunus - plum, apricot, peach, nectarine, almond and cherry. PPV was first time discovered in Bulgaria in 1917-1918, and the virus has spread from Europe to Africa, South America, Asia and North America. The virus has not been detected in Australia and New Zealand. The virus spreads nonpersistent through more than 20 species of aphids and by vegetative propagation of infected plants. Stems of infected plants do not decay, they continue to bear fruit, but in smaller amounts and lower quality. Plant viruses cannot be defeated with chemicals. Action with a goal to eliminate or reduce the source of infection as prevention are necessary. To this day, 10 different strains of PPV have been identified based on biological, serological and molecular properties (M, D, Rec, EA, T, W, C, CR, CV, An).