Federica Fontana, a researcher at the Astra - Martorano 5 Operative Unit in Cesena which has been performing tests to find new selections resistant to the Sharka virus (PPV), reports that tolerant apricot varieties have been identified after the first experimentation cycle while years of tests are necessary for peaches.
This is the moment to monitor stone fruit flowers to check whether they show symptoms of the virus. It petals have specks, then the Phytosanitary Service should be contacted.
Possible symptoms of Sharka on peach flowers
"There is still no news when it comes to peaches as no tolerant varieties or selections have been found yet. There are some interesting and promising selections, but a lot more tests are needed."
"As for apricots, tolerant varieties are Flavor Cot, Lilly Cot, Bora, Spring Blush, Flopria and Sunny Cot, which have been observed for 10 years. Wonder Cot, Anegat, Gilgat and Bergarouge show no symptoms after three years. Although they do have the virus, as we inoculated it, leaves and fruits show no symptoms."
Martorano 5: the greenhouse where tests are being carried out. Plants have now been uprooted for a new project
Researchers are pleased when symptoms appear in buds, as it is a guarantee that the plant is infected but reacts to annul the negative consequences of Sharka. The researcher adds that different selections are proving tolerant, but experiments must continue for a few years before making a certain assessment.