Plum Pox VirusPlum Pox Virus

Plum Pox VirusAlso Known as Sharka or PPV

A Devastating Viral Diseaseof Stone Fruit, Ornamental Shrubs and Trees

from The Genus - Prunus

Plum Pox Virus

Peaches Plums

Apricots Nectarines

Sweet & Tart Cherries

Almonds

Confirmed Locations of PPV in the United States

Symptoms Vary According To TheType and Severity of The Disease Strain

• Leaf Symptoms:– Vein Yellowing, Light Green or Yellow Rings, May

Show Crinkling, Puckering, Curling • Fruit Symptoms:– Ring Patterns, Blotches, Flesh Discoloration, Misshaped,

Deformed• Flower Symptoms:– Color Breaking or Streaking in Flowers of PPV Infected

Peach Blossoms.

PPV Presence in Leaves

Deformed Fruit & Stones

PPV Present InPeach Blossoms

PPV Virus• Symptoms May Not Show For 3 Years

• Disease Reduces Fruit Yield & Fruit Quality– Fruit Tastes Fine But Unappealing To The Eye

• Economic Impact To The Peach, Plum, Apricot Industry Worldwide - $600 Million Per Year

PPV Virus• Six Strains of Virus

• Strain D - The Strain Found in North America

• This Strain Only Infects Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots, Plums,

• No Treatment - No Cure

Transmission & Spread• Short Distance Spread

Result of Aphid Transmission• Several Aphid Species Can

Transmit PPV – • Northeastern US

Concerned WithBlack Bean AphidSpirea AphidBlack Peach AphidGreen Peach Aphid

• Long Distance Spread By Movement of Infected

Plants or Plant Parts

How To Manage PPV

Natural or Chemical Application May Reduce Aphid Numbers But Impossible To Entirely Control

Aphid Population

• Exclusion – Growers & Nursery Propagators Purchase Only

Certified Virus Tested Plant Stock• Detection– Testing of Leaf Samples

• Resistance– Plant Resistance Using Genetic Engineering

• Inserting PPV Gene Fragments Into Plum Trees To Gain High Resistance to PPV

– In Early Experimental Stages

Management of PPV

Tree Farms

Eradication• Eradication Is The Most

Successful Treatment• Timely Removal

Of Diseased TreesOnce A Tree Is Confirmed To

Be A Carrier Of PPV It Must Be Eliminated

• Stumps Must Also Be Treated

Herbicides Used To Prevent Re-growth - Sucker Shoots

Questions?