THE OCCURRENCE OF VIRUSES IN RED RASPBERRY CULTIVARS IN ITALY

In Italy's Trentino region, almost all the indexed plants of the cultivars 'Zeva I', 'Zeva II', 'Zeva Rifiorente', 'Malling Promise' and 'Schoenemann' were infected with black raspberry necrosis virus (BRNV). Among these cultivars 'Zeva Rifiorente' was symptomless, while many plants of the other cultivars showed mosaic symptoms. BRNV was also detected in wild Rubus idaeus, which showed chlorotic ringspots on the leaves. This wild R. idaeus was located in the cultivated raspberry area. Raspberry bushy dwarf virus (RBDV), strawberry latent ringspot virus (SLRV) and tobacco streak virus (TSV) were found only occasionally.

Young plantings of 'Fallred', 'Framita' and 'Rumiloba' were symptomless, and no viruses were detected with PAS-ELISA tests.

In the Piedmont region, the widest grown cultivar 'Lampone di Peveragno' is commonly affected by dieback of fruiting canes, with associated symptoms of curled and reddish leaves and crumbly fruit. About 70% of the plants with these symptoms were infected by the following viruses (found mainly singly): BRNV, RBDV, SLRV and TSV. SLRV and RDBV were the most common, while SLRV and BRNV were also present in symptomless plants although to a lesser extent. No consistent association was found between any of the above viruses and field symptoms.

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