First report of Plum bark necrosis stem pitting-associated virus in Bulgaria detected by DAS-ELISA

Aneliya Borisova

Abstract: Plum bark necrosis stem pitting-associated virus (PBNSPaV), the causal agent of plum bark necrosis stem pitting disease, belongs to the genus Ampelovirus in the family Closteroviridae. In the past 20 years, the virus was reported in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. This study focused on occurrence and distribution of PBNSPaV in collection and commercial stone fruit orchards in Kyustendil region of Bulgaria. In two consecutive years 2017–2018, a total of 127 trees from 8 different stone fruit species were tested by DAS-ELISA for the presence of PBNSPaV. The virus was detected in eight symptomatic trees with bark gummosis, necrosis, pits and grooves on the branches and trunk of newly introduced Japanese plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.) cultivars. The established 6.3 % rate of infection showed a weak infestation with the virus. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of PBNSPaV in Bulgaria.

Keywords: PBNSPaV; stone fruit species; symptoms; virus detection

Date published: 2020-04-30