PROBLEMS OF VIRUS DISEASES OF DECIDUOUS FRUIT TREES IN GREECE

Stone fruits:

1. Plum pox (sharka) : in peach, plum and apricot. It is the most severe problem.
2. Prunus necrotic ring spot: in peach, cherry, almond and apricot.
3. Apricot chlorotic leafroll: in peach, apricot and Japanese plum.

Apple:

1. Apple proliferation (apple witch's broom) : some apple cultivars. The variety Abbodanza has been proven very sensitive.
2. Apple mosaic: in some apple varieties.
3. Different latent viruses (Apple spy epinasty and decline, apple chlorotic leaf spot, apple stem pitting, apple flat limb).

Pear:

1. Pear vein yellows: in many varieties.
2. Pear ring pattern mosaic: in some varieties.

For the control of plum pox virus, a research program is under way for selection and breeding resistant and tolerant varieties. The research for controlling other viruses and mycoplasmas is oriented towards selection and conservation of virus-free propagation material.

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