Detenction and characterization of stone fruit virus diseases in Tunisia

Abstract

A preliminary survey was conducted in Tunisia to identify stone fruit (almond, plum, peach) virus diseases
occurring in orchards and mother block stands. Two ilarviruses, Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV) and
Prune dwarf virus (PDV) infecting almond and plum and a trichovirus, Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV) found
in a peach orchard in northern Tunisia, were detected. These viruses were detected by means of herbaceous and
woody indicators (cucumber, peach GF 305), serology (DAS-ELISA), electron microscopy (DIP, ISEM, Decoration)
and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction-based assay (RT-PCR). Furthermore, typing PNRSV isolates
was done by bioassays using various species and cultivars of Cucurbitaceae, serotyping with specific monoclonal
antibodies (Mabs) in ELISA-DASI and RFLP analysis. Characterization work showed that serotyping with Mabs
was the best mean to distinguish between PNRSV isolates.