Plum pox virus and the nursery industry
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EmailEditor’s note: This article is from the archives of the MSU Crop Advisory Team Alerts. Check the label of any pesticide referenced to ensure your use is included.
In
July (2006), the plum pox virus was detected in Michigan for the very first
time. The detection was on a plum tree located at the Southwest Michigan
Research and Extension Center located near Benton Harbor.
Although the plum pox disease is typically associated with stone fruit
trees, the virus can also attack ornamental Prunus species. For example,
the strain identified in Michigan has detected in one flowering almond
in Pennsylvania. Because of this potential threat to the nursery
industry, we are reprinting the following two articles from a special Fruit Cat Alert that describe the disease, as well as the regulatory and survey response that is now ongoing.
View the full 2006 plum pox CAT Alert issue along with color pictures of the disease.
To learn more about plum pox virus, visit the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service website.
If you find something suspicious on a susceptible host plant, please contact your county Extension office, regional Michigan Department of Agriculture office, or MSU Diagnostic Services (517-355-4536).
