Federica Fontana, researcher at Astra - Unità operativa Martorano 5 confirms that there are apricot varieties highly resistant to the Sharka virus, but it's more difficult when it comes to peaches, as tests need to be carried out for a few more years.
"Highly tolerant apricot varieties include Flavor Cot, Lilly Cot, Bora, Spring Blush, Flopria, Sunny Cot. They have been tested for 10 years. Wonder Cot, Anegat, Gilgat and Bergarouge haven't presented symptoms in three years. We inoculated the virus ourselves, but there is no sign of it on the fruit and leaves."
Symptoms on sensitive varieties
Researchers are satisfied when the symptoms manifest in suckers, because it means the plant was infected but reacts by annulling the negative consequences of the Sharka virus. Multiple selections are proving to be tolerant, but they need to be tested for a few more years.
"There is no news when it comes to peaches as it's still too early to say anything. Research continues thanks to the Maspes project."