NPDN 2007 Meeting - Plum pox in North America

NPDN National Meeting 2007

Poster Abstract

Plum pox in North America – A tough nut to crack!

Authors: SARA R. MAY (1), Karen L. Snover-Clift (2), Ruth A. Welliver (3), John M. Halbrendt (4), Blake Ferguson (5), Mike Tiffany (6), Jan Byrne (7)

Affiliations: (1) The Pennsylvania State University; (2) Cornell University; (3) Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture; (4) The Pennsylvania State University; (5) Canadian Food Inspection Agency; (6) Agdia, Inc.; (7) Michigan State University

Plum pox virus (PPV) causes a destructive disease of stone fruit trees such as plums, peaches, and apricots. PPV was first detected in North America in Adams County Pennsylvania in 1999, followed by detections in Ontario and Nova Scotia Canada in 2000. Extensive testing, strict quarantines and eradication programs showed promising results that PPV was being contained in the quarantined areas of the U.S. and Canada. In 2006, the survey efforts revealed the pathogen in two more states, New York and Michigan. The pathogen found was identified as PPV strain D, which is known to spread slowly and is not readily transmitted by seed. Researchers and agricultural regulatory officials are continuing to search for the pathogen in surrounding areas in hopes of preventing its spread.

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