| Abstract: | Recently, plum pox potyvirus (PPV) has been found in Basilicata, southern Italy, on plum, apricot and peach. In 1992-09, we started a large-scale survey to verify the effectiveness of diagnostic methods used during seasons when it is difficult to reveal any presence of the virus. The assays were carried out by dot-blot hybridization on stone-fruit cultivars normally planted in this area. The virus was found, by dot-blot hybridization, to be present in seven cultivars of peach, four of apricot and one of plum. All plants were 8–10 years old and, except for two apricot cultivars, were not displaying any apparent symptoms in spring 1992. Five peach cultivars, intended for use as primary sources of propagation material, were then selected for further study, and assayed in 1992–11 by ELISA and RT-PCR. ELISA tests on these selected peach cultivars were consistently negative, while PCR tests were consistently positive. However ELISA tests gave positive results when repeated in 1993–05. These results not only suggest that primary propagation material should be tested by techniques more sensitive than ELISA, but also question the usefulness of carrying out tests during any phenological phases of the plant. |
