Investigation on the phytosanitary status of the main stone fruit nurseries and mother plots in Albania

To assess the virus and viroid infections of the most important stone fruits in Albania, surveys were carried out in nurseries, mother plots and commercial orchards in the main fruit tree-growing areas. The presence of viruses and viroids was assessed by visual inspections and laboratory tests.

During field surveys, more than 5,000 trees were individually inspected for symptoms expression. A total of 749 trees were tested, and shown to be highly infected (27%) by one or more viruses at the same time; in particular, Sharka infection was detected in all the selected areas and in plants of different origin (nurseries: 29%, mother plants: 13%, and commercial orchards: 29%). Infections by Prunus necrotic leaf spot virus (PNRSV) and Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV) were frequent in peach and plum, while Prunus dwarf virus (PDV) was more frequent in cherry. Regarding viroids, 740 samples were tested for Peach latent mosaic viroid (PLMVd); as for viruses, the infection rate was quite high (23%), particularly on peach (60% of tested samples). This study highlights the quite alarming existing situation, especially for the presence of PPV infection in nurseries. Urgent measures should be taken to avoid a serious crisis and deterioration of the fruit tree industry in Albania.