The first survey of pome fruit viruses in Morocco

Considering the limited information on the presence and incidence of pome fruit virus and viroid diseases in Morocco, a preliminary assessment of the presence of pome fruit viruses in Morocco was carried out. Twenty orchards and nurseries were surveyed in the regions of Midelt, Meknès and Azilal. A total of 100 samples (apples and pears) were collected and tested. Biological indexing was made in a acclimatised greenhouse using the following indicators: Malus pumila cvs. ‛Spy 227’, ‛Radiant’ and ‛R 12740 7A’, and Pyrus communis cv. ‛LA/62’. All samples were also tested by ELISA for the presence of Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV), Apple stem grooving virus (ASGV), Apple stem pitting virus (ASPV) and Apple mosaic virus (ApMV). The prevailing viruses infecting apple were ACLSV (71%) and ASPV (58%), whereas ASGV was found in 12 tested trees. The same viruses were present, but less frequently, in pear: ACLSV (61%), Pear Vein Yellows Virus (PVYV) (25%) and ASGV (18%). Only four apple trees were found to be infected by ApMV. Additional RT-PCR testing confirmed the high incidence of ACLSV and ASPV.This was the first report of the presence of pome fruit viruses in Morocco, indicating the high infection rate worsened by the recent report of the presence of fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) in the country. Moreover, a total of 168 apples and 81 pears were sampled and tested for pome fruit viroids Apple scar skin viroid (ASSVd), Apple dimple fruit viroid (ADFVd) and Pear blister canker viroid (PBCVd) by tissue printing hybridization. No viroids were detected. Keywords: pome fruit, viruses, viroids, Morocco, ELISA, Tissue printing hybridization, PC

Investigation on the phytosanitary status of the main stone fruit nurseries and mother plots in Albania

To assess the virus and viroid infections of the most important stone fruits in Albania, surveys were carried out in nurseries, mother plots and commercial orchards in the main fruit tree-growing areas. The presence of viruses and viroids was assessed by visual inspections and laboratory tests. During field surveys, more than 5,000 trees were individually inspected for symptoms expression. A total of 749 trees were tested, and shown to be highly infected (27%) by one or more viruses at the same time; in particular, Sharka infection was detected in all the selected areas and in plants of different origin (nurseries: 29%, mother plants: 13%, and commercial orchards: 29%). Infections by Prunus necrotic leaf spot virus (PNRSV) and Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV) were frequent in peach and plum, while Prunus dwarf virus (PDV) was more frequent in cherry. Regarding viroids, 740 samples were tested for Peach latent mosaic viroid (PLMVd); as for viruses, the infection rate was quite high (23%), particularly on peach (60% of tested samples). This study highlights the quite alarming existing situation, especially for the presence of PPV infection in nurseries. Urgent measures should be taken to avoid a serious crisis and deterioration of the fruit tree industry in Albania.Keywords: Albania, stone fruits, viruses, viroids, detection, nursery, mother bloc

Assessment of the main stone fruit viruses and viroids in Algeria

In order to improve the sanitary status of the propagating material of stone fruits, a field survey was conducted to assess the main viruses and viroids affecting stone fruits in selected growing areas and their distribution on the collected material by using serological and molecular detection methods.Serological assays were carried out to detect Plum pox virus (PPV), Prunus necrotic ring spot virus (PNRSV), Prune dwarf virus (PDV), Apple mosaic virus (ApMV) and Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV). Moreover, tissue-print hybridization was performed to detect Peach latent mosaic viroid (PLMVd) and Hop stunt viroid (HSVd).Among nearly 2000 trees tested, no PPV infection was detected, while 14% of them positively reacted to at least one virus. The highest infection rate (18%) was reported in both nurseries and commercial orchards. PNRSV was the most detected virus (9%), followed by ApMV (3%) and PDV (1.5%). Cherry was the most infected species (20%). As for viroids, a high infection rate was recorded for PLMVd (9%) and HSVd (5%); the highest infection rate was reported in mother blocks and varietal collections.Keywords: Algeria, Prunus, virus, viroids, ELISA, tissue-print hybridization, sanitary statu

Integrated pest management of the tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in tomato fields in Egypt

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L) is universally one of the most important vegetable crops worldwide. In Egypt, the crop is cultivated annually in 2-3 plantations. The tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is one of the recent devastating pests attacking tomato crop in several countries. It is a new exotic pest in Egypt. A study to evaluate the efficacy of integrated control methods against the pest was carried out at Fayoum Governorate, Egypt in the tomato Nili plantation (September - December) of 2014. Based on the infestation reduction rate, release of the egg parasitoid, Trichogrammatoidea bactrae + mass trapping (plot B) showed best results, followed by the application with Biotrine and Fytomax + mass trapping (plot A) and lastly use of insecticides (control) (plot C). Respective seasonal rate of infestation was 9.2, 11.1 and 29.3%. Highest yield production and cost benefits were recorded in plot (B)