First record of Grapevine Pinot gris virus infecting Vitis vinifera in the United Kingdom

Grapevine Pinot gris virus (GPGV) is a member of the genus Trichovirus, and was first identified in grapevine (Vitis vinifera) cv. Pinot Gris in Italy in 2012 (Giampetruzzi et al., 2012). Since then GPGV has been reported in several European countries as well as Australia, Canada, China, Korea and the USA (Bertazzon et al., 2016). In April 2017, a survey of four geographically separated vineyards in the UK was done to investigate the presence of GPGV. A dormant cane was sampled at random from each of the four locations (Pinot Noir clones 119, 336, 792 and 924, reciprocally grafted upon Gravesac, SO4 or 3309 Couderc rootstocks)

First report of Grapevine fanleaf virus infecting grapevine in the United Kingdom

The UK wine industry is a fast-growing sector and in 2015 an area of c. 2,000 hectares had been planted with vines from which over five million bottles of wine were produced (Wine and Spirit Trade Association Market Overview, 2016). It is important to monitor the phytosanitary status of vines to ensure the sustainability of the industry in the UK

A multiplex RT-PCR assay capable of distinguishing beet necrotic yellow vein virus type A and B

Primers were developed which could distinguish the A and B types of Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) using a multiplex reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (mRT-PCR). RNA was extracted from 72 BNYVV isolates from Asia, Europe and North America, and the type of each isolate determined using an established single strand conformation polymorphisms (SSCP) detection method. An area of the ‘triple gene block’ region on RNA 2 was amplified and sequenced from 16 isolates of the A and B types. These sequences were aligned and two sets of PCR primers were designed to amplify unique areas common to each type. One assay produced a single 324 base-pair RT-PCR fragment from samples containing the A type and the other produced a 178 base-pair product from samples containing the B type. Fragment length differed sufficiently to allow both assays to be run in a single PCR tube. Results obtained using the new multiplex RT-PCR assay were consistent with those from the established SSCP method for all 72 reference samples

First report of shallot virus X in shallot in New Zealand

In January 2005, mild mosaic and chlorosis were observed on leaves of shallot (Allium cepa var. aggregatum) ‘Red Prisma’ growing in Marlborough, New Zealand. Leaves from 100 plants were collected and bulked into groups of ten. Three composite samples tested positive for Shallot mite-borne latent virus (ShMbLV) using polyclonal antiserum (supplied by Dr. E. Barg, Biologische Bundesanstalt, Germany) in an antigen-coated plate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ACP-ELISA). Similar symptoms were seen in shallot ‘Jermor’ in the same region in December 2007. Leaves from these plants also tested positive for ShMbLV by ACP-ELISA. To confirm the identification of the samples from 2007, dried tissue of the type isolate of ShMbLV was obtained (Van Dijk & van der Vlugt, 1994). RNA was extracted from diseased shallot samples and the ShMbLV type isolate and tested by RT-PCR using primers that amplify a ca. 750 bp fragment between the coat protein (CP) and ORF6 region of allexiviruses (Chen et al., 2004). For both samples, amplicons of the expected size were obtained and sequenced directly. Analysis showed a 93 to 95% nucleotide identity with Shallot virus X (ShVX) (GenBank Accession No. M97264). RT-PCR was then done using specific primers designed to amplify a 912 bp fragment of ShVX including the CP gene (ShVX-CPF: 5'-ATTTAGGGGTGAAGGTCTGT-3'; ShVX-CPR: 5'-GAGTTTTGAGGTCGTTGG-3'). Amplicons of the correct size were obtained from both diseased shallot samples and the ShMbLV type isolate. Subsequently, one-step immunocapture RT-PCR was performed using the ShMbLV antiserum and the ShVX-specific primers, and bands of the correct size were obtained for both samples. The amplicons were cloned and sequenced. A BLAST search showed that the sequence from shallot (EU835197) and that of the type isolate of ShMbLV (EU835196) showed 93% and 95% nucleotide identity, respectively, with ShVX (M97264). According to the criteria demarcating species in the genus (Adams et al., 2004), we suggest that ShMbLV should be considered a synonym of ShVX as previously proposed (Van Dijk & van der Vlugt, 1994). This is the first report of ShVX in New Zealand and until these findings it was considered a regulated pest. However, no phytosanitary measures will be imposed to eradicate the virus and it is likely to spread in the future, especially as the vector, Aceria tulipae, is present in New Zealand. Allexiviruses, including ShVX, often infect allium crops in combination with carlaviruses and/or potyviruses and cause significant yield losses (Chen et al., 2004; Van Dijk & van der Vlugt, 1994

Virus infecting kiwifruit in Italy

Kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.) is an important horticultural crop grown in temperate region. In Italy and in other EU countries, kiwifruit has been considered as a relatively disease-free ornamental crop and consequently neither passaport regulation nor certification system for this species are been developed: no additional declaration for imported material must be provided and any specific rules for plant propagation into the EU need to be observed. In recent years a number of fungal and bacterial diseases have been recorded, including Botrytis cinerea and Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae. Moreover a new strain of apple stem grooving virus has been identified during post entry quarantine in New Zealand in A. chinensis from China. More recent work has demonstrated that Actinidia spp. can be infected by a range of viruses belonging to the genera Tobamovirus, Potexvirus, Vitivirus and also by Alfa alfa mosaic virus, Cucumber mosaic virus and Citrus leaf blotch-like virus. During spring 2010 kiwifruit plants showing a range of symptoms, including vein clearing, interveinal mottling, mosaics and chlorotic ring spots were collected from both nurseries and orchards in Italy. Transmission electron microscopy of sap or partially purified extracts from kiwifruit plants detected both rod-shaped and flexuous particles. Viruses were tentatively transmitted by mechanical inoculation to several herbaceous indicator plants, including Nicothiana benthamiana, N. occidentalis and Chenopodium quinoa. Molecular charcterization is currently in progress to identify the viruses

Virus infecting kiwifruit in Italy

Kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.) is an important horticultural crop grown in temperate regions, principally in Italy, Chile and New Zealand. The genus includes more than 50 species but principally A. deliciosa and A. chinensis are cultivated. In Italy and in other EU countries, kiwifruit has been considered as a relatively disease-free ornamental crop and consequently neither passport regulation nor certification system for this species are been developed: no additional declaration for imported material must to be provided and any specific rules for plant propagation into the EU need to be observed. A new strain of Apple stem grooving virus has been identified during post entry quarantine in New Zealand in A. chinensis from China. More recent work has demonstrated that Actinidia spp. can be infected by a range of viruses belonging to the genera Tobamovirus, Potexvirus, Vitivirus and also by Alfalfa mosaic virus, Cucumber mosaic virus and Citrus leaf blotch-like virus. During spring 2010 kiwifruit plants showing a range of symptoms, including vein clearing, interveinal mottling, mosaics and chlorotic ring spots, were collected from both nurseries and orchards in Italy. Transmission electron microscopy of sap or partially purified extracts from kiwifruit plants detected both rod-shaped and flexuous virus particles. Viruses were tentatively transmitted by mechanical inoculation to several herbaceous indicator plants, including Nicotiana benthamiana, N. glutinosa, N. occidentalis and Chenopodium quinoa. Molecular characterization is currently in progress to identify the viruses