Survey for viruses and viroids in apple and pear trees in New Zealand

Surveys to determine the phytosanitary status of apple (Malus) and pear (Pyrus) trees in New Zealand were conducted from 2005 to 2006 A total of 188 symptomatic and nonsymptomatic trees from various geographical locations were tested for the presence of a number of viruses and viroids by RTPCR All Malus samples were tested for Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV) Apple stem grooving virus (ASGV) Apple stem pitting virus (ASPV) Apple mosaic virus (ApMV) Apple scar skin viroid (ASSVd) Apple dimple fruit viroid (ADFVd) Cherry rasp leaf virus (CRLV) and Tomato ringspot virus (ToRSV) ACLSV was detected in 48 ASGV in 36 ASPV in 61 and ApMV in 45 of samples tested ASSVd ADFVd CRLV ToRSV were not detected in any of the 165 sampled Malus plants which provides evidence that they are not present in New Zealand All Pyrus samples were tested for ACLSV ASGV ASPV ApMV Pear latent virus (PeLV) and Pear blister canker viroid (PBCVd) ACLSV was detected in 17 ASGV in 13 ASPV in 17 and ApMV in 4 of sampled Pyrus trees PeLV and PBCVd were not detected in any of the 23 sampled symptomatic Pyrus trees which provides evidence that PeLV and PBCVd are not present in New Zealand