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Eradication, Containment, and/or Management Plum Pox, Sharka Disease

Objective

Determine the distribution and incidence of Plum Pox Virus throughout the Northeast region, and nationally, including Canada.

More information

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Plum pox disease or "Sharka" is one of the most devastating and economically important diseases of stonefruit worldwide. Surveys are being undertaken to determine the extent of incursion into new areas.

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APPROACH: A national PPV survey has already been initiated in the United States and a similar program has been started in Canada. These programs have been instrumental in helping to identify major focal points of infection. However the possibility that additional as yet unidentified pockets of infection exist elsewhere in the country is real. All major stonefruit-producing states have a vested interest in participating in a continued effort to scout for PPV. In cases where the level of infection is currently very low or possibly where there has been undocumented movement of Prunus material it could be difficult to find. Therefore survey work should continue over several years.

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PROGRESS: 2001/10 TO 2006/09<BR>
Several surveys for the plum pox virus were carried out when funding was available for Massachusetts. Once the risk was deemed negligible funding was not available and no further surveys were done. Research on plum pox virus was restricted to special containment facilities such as available at Ft Detrick, MD, so we were not expected to carry out research. Our efforts were focused primarily on education. Several of our web-sites had links to plum pox virus, and the issue was discussed at a number of extension educational programs. Selected classes and labs at the University of Massachusetts received printed materials and lectures on the subject.
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IMPACT: 2001/10 TO 2006/09 <BR>
Nurserymen and horticulturists will understand the importance of plum pox virus and will know where to bring samples if they need confirmation of the disease.

Investigators
Wick, Robert
Institution
University of Massachusetts
Start date
2001
End date
2006
Project number
MAS00850
Accession number
190200
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