Spain is one of the main apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) producers and exporters in the European Union, with an average production of 100,000 MT per year. The biggest production area is the Region of Murcia with around 65% of national production. In this region, an important incidence of Hop stunt viroid (HSVd) has been detected by Spanish scientists.Recently, research team led by Manuel Rubio at CEBAS-CSIC in Murcia described infection rates of over 95% in the Bıulida cultivar, the most important Spanish apricot cultivar. HSVd presence is associated with fruit degeneration disease in apricot, causing significant fruit symptoms that affect organoleptic characteristics and highly reduce the fruit’s commercial value.
The apricot species is susceptible to infection by different viruses and viroids including the HSVd, widely distributed around the world and described as the causal agent associated with fruit degeneration disease in apricot. However, to date, there are no ‘ad hoc’ studies about the resistance or susceptibility of apricot cultivars to this viroid.
CEBAS-CSIC scientists conducted a study to test the resistance/ susceptibility to HSVd of 26 Mediterranean and North American apricot cultivars in controlled greenhouse conditions.
All apricot cultivars tested were infected by HSVd, showing a different susceptibility rate. As no sources of resistance among the apricot cultivars evaluated have been detected yet, thus scientists conclude that it is necessary to continue the work to find sources to be included in apricot breeding programmes.
The high level of susceptibility found, highlights the importance of identifying this viroid in routine tests performed by nurseries and plant protection services.
Results of the study are available online from 9 May at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jph.12407/abstract.
This study was supported by the Seneca Foundation of the Region of Murcia.
Sou:rce Rubio M., Gıomez E.M., Martıınez-Gıomez P., Dicenta F., ‘Behaviour of Apricot Cultivars Against Hop Stunt Viroid’, 2015, Journal of Phytopathology.
Contacts:
Manuel Rubio
Plant Breeding Department, CEBAS-CSIC
POBox 164, E-30100 Murcia - Spain
Email: mrubio@cebas.csic.es