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Virus
There are many viral diseases found in stone fruit and their effects on commercial plantings vary tremendously. In some cases an infected tree is completely symptomless, in other trees, leaf symptoms appear, and vigour, fruit size and yields are reduced. Much depends on the number and type of virus present, as well as the susceptibility of the variety.
Many virus are widespread, ie almost every tree is infected. There are no known control measures to reduce the effects of a virus once it has invaded a tree.
Most virus are transferred via propagation material, ie in grafts and cuttings. These virus can be avoided by the use of clean propagation material. This clean material is the result of heat therapy and advanced tissue culturing techniques specifically aimed at eliminating virus.
When purchasing trees from nurseries, growers should insist on virus tested planting material to control the viral diseases. However some virus are spread by pollen.
These virus are widespread, and at present, unless your orchard is in an isolated production area, little can be done to prevent them infecting newly planted virus free trees. It normally takes several years for these viral diseases to spread through an orchard. Virus-free trees make a better start, producing a larger tree in a shorter time. By the time virus infection occurs, the tree is often well established and more able to tolerate viral diseases.
Many virus are widespread, ie almost every tree is infected. There are no known control measures to reduce the effects of a virus once it has invaded a tree.
Most virus are transferred via propagation material, ie in grafts and cuttings. These virus can be avoided by the use of clean propagation material. This clean material is the result of heat therapy and advanced tissue culturing techniques specifically aimed at eliminating virus.
When purchasing trees from nurseries, growers should insist on virus tested planting material to control the viral diseases. However some virus are spread by pollen.
These virus are widespread, and at present, unless your orchard is in an isolated production area, little can be done to prevent them infecting newly planted virus free trees. It normally takes several years for these viral diseases to spread through an orchard. Virus-free trees make a better start, producing a larger tree in a shorter time. By the time virus infection occurs, the tree is often well established and more able to tolerate viral diseases.
