ISHS Acta Horticulturae 384: X International Symposium on Apricot Culture
REACTION OF APRICOT CULTIVARS TO PLUM POX VIRUS INFECTION |
| Author: | I. Karayiannis |
| Keywords: | Plum pox virus, resistance, apricot, cultivars |
| Abstract:
Sharka is the most dangerous disease of apricots in Greece today. The use of resistant varieties is probably the best way to control the disease. A few apricot varieties like Early Orange, Stella, Veecot, Sunglo and NJA2 have presented a good level of resistance to PPV in our Pomology Institute in the past. The aim of this work is to find new resistant varieties. Thirty three varieties were examined for their susceptibility to plum pox virus in the field, in an area where the disease is endemic. The experimental orchard was planted five years ago close to old peach trees which served as a source of inoculum of PPV (strain Marcus) transmitted by aphids. Most of the varieties were of European and some of North American origin. Leaves of the trees were examined for symptoms of the disease in the second year in May and fruits at maturity. The varieties which did not show symptoms in the field were subjected to artificial inoculation, by grafting them onto heavily PPV infected old apricot trees in autumn. Their grafting shoots were examined by the ELISA test next spring. All the European varieties were susceptible to the disease in the field by the end of the third year. Two varieties were symptomless: Harlayne and Sundrop. Artificial inoculation of these varieties and use of the ELISA test showed that Sundrop was susceptible and Harlayne was actually resistant to the disease. | |
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