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July 5, 2004
From: European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO)
Reporting Service 2004, No. 5 [edited]

2004/076
First report of Pepino mosaic potexvirus on tomato in Bulgaria

Since 2003, protected crops have been surveyed for Pepino mosaic potexvirus [PepMV] (EPPO Alert List). In 2003, 267 tomato samples were collected and tested. All results were negative. But beginning in 2004, 88 tomato samples presenting leaf distortion and mosaic were sent to the Central Laboratory of Plant Quarantine and tested by DAS-ELISA (double antibody sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay). PepMV was detected in 14 samples. These infected plants had been grown from seeds (cv. Monroe) imported from the Netherlands, and further testing on tomato seeds was also positive for PepMV. The affected glasshouse was declared a quarantine area and the NPPO took strict eradication measures.

The situation of PepMV in Bulgaria can be described as follows: Present, found in 1 tomato glasshouse in 2004, under eradication.

Source: National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) of BG, 2004-05.

[PepMV, a highly infectious virus, is widely dispersed in European tomato crops. Disease management in tomato depends upon planting of virus-free tomato transplants and strict adherence to established phytosanitary
practices. The list of countries reporting PepMV infections is increasing, and I have included only the 1st and most recent reports for your information. - Mod.DH]