A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org

Date: Fri 25 Jun 2021
Source: HortiDaily [abridged, edited]6
https://www.hortidaily.com/article/9333888/pepmv-brings-a-halt-to-new-zealand-tomato-exports/

New Zealand tomato exports to six countries have been stopped, after the _Pepino mosaic virus_ (PepMV) was discovered on crops. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has notified Australia, Japan,
Thailand, Fiji, Tonga, and New Caledonia, because these countries consider PepMV a quarantine risk.

The virus was first detected in an Auckland glasshouse and has subsequently been found in tomato production facilities in the wider region. The premises where PepMV has been found are able to continue
selling fruit under strengthened hygiene conditions. The risk of transmission through fruit is considered low.

TomatoesNZ have developed advice for growers. "Now the virus has been confirmed in several facilities, it is considered possible that it may be distributed more widely in the country. We strongly encourage all growers of tomatoes to follow careful biosecurity procedures," they say. The virus can be asymptomatic or have very mild symptoms so it is important to remain vigilant with hygiene, especially with equipment, plant material and people that are moving on and off site.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED
promed@promedmail.org

[_Pepino mosaic virus_ (PepMV, genus _Potexvirus_) was first identified on pepino (_Solanum muricatum_) in South America. It is spreading in the Americas and Europe and has also been reported from a
few locations in Asia and Africa. PepMV can also infect potato and aubergine [eggplant], but serious symptoms appear to occur only in tomato. Symptoms may include blotches and scarification on fruit;
mottling, distortion, necrosis on leaves and young shoots. The virus can cause significant economic losses, especially in glasshouse tomatoes, due mainly to reduction of fruit quality.

PepMV spreads very rapidly and is highly contagious. Specific insect vectors have not been identified. The virus is transmitted by mechanical means (including contaminated tools, human and insect
activities, plant-to-plant contact), grafting and with infected plant material (including insufficiently cleaned seed batches containing contaminated plant debris). True seed transmission (that is, via the
embryo rather than the seed coat) is uncommon in potexviruses and appears unlikely for PepMV, but more studies are needed. Disease management is usually focused on phytosanitation and use of certified
clean seed and tomato explants. 

Different strains of the virus exist for pepino and tomato. Coinfections have earlier been reported with _Potato virus S_ (genus _Carlavirus_) and _Tomato torrado virus_ (genus _Torradovirus_). Most
recently, coinfection with the newly identified _Tomato brown rugose fruit virus_ (genus _Tobamovirus_) was reported (ProMED post http://promedmail.org/post/20191029.6751082); it was thought that the
observed symptoms on tomatoes may have been due to either virus or to synergism. Further studies are needed to clarify the effects of these interactions of PepMV with other viruses on crop damage.

Maps
New Zealand:
https://www.fotolip.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/New-Zealand-Map-1.jpg
and
http://healthmap.org/promed/p/164
Oceania, overview:
http://www.nationsonline.org/maps/oceania_map.jpg

Pictures
PepMV symptoms on tomato:
https://www.agdia-emea.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Tomato-Pepino-Mosaic-Virus-e1445510159191.jpg,
http://www.freshplaza.com/2017/0510/tomatoespr.jpg,
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/01-017f5.jpg,
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/01-017f2.jpg and
http://www.sciencephoto.com/image/80342/530wm/C0015940-Pepino_mosaic_virus_infected_leaf-SPL.jpg
Healthy pepino plants:
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/47/24/ae/4724ae19353d0525be547b75ba2d99f6.jpg
and
https://fairdinkumseeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Pepino-Solanum-Muricatum-Melon-Pear-Seeds.jpg

Links
Additional news stories:
https://www.fijitimes.com/directive-for-tomato-importers/,
https://www.tomatoesnz.co.nz/hot-topics/pepino-mosaic-virus/ and
https://www.freshplaza.com/article/9333888/pepmv-brings-a-halt-to-new-zealand-tomato-exports/
(thanks to G Jackson, PestNet)
Information on PepMV:
https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/PEPMV0 (with pictures),
https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/43661,
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/01-017.htm,
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20447268,
https://www.freshplaza.com/article/175250/New-advice-to-help-tomato-growers-eradicate-Pepino-Mosaic-Virus/,
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10658-015-0664-1 and via
https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/pepino-mosaic-virus-pepmv
Virus taxonomy via:
https://talk.ictvonline.org/taxonomy/
- Mod.DHA]

[See Also:
Pepino mosaic virus, tomato - Serbia: 1st rep (JA)
http://promedmail.org/post/20210412.8303683
2020
----
Pepino mosaic virus, tomato - Russia ex Armenia, Belarus: intercepts
http://promedmail.org/post/20201109.7930136
2019
----
Virus double infection, tomato - Netherlands: (ZH)
http://promedmail.org/post/20191029.6751082
2017
----
Pepino mosaic virus, tomato - UK
http://promedmail.org/post/20170516.5038343
2011
----
Pepino mosaic virus, tomato - Finland
http://promedmail.org/post/20111027.3189
2007
----
Torrado disease, tomato - Spain: new findings
http://promedmail.org/post/20070906.2944
Plant diseases, 1st records for 2006: EPPO
http://promedmail.org/post/20070409.1179
Torrado disease, tomato: new virus identified
http://promedmail.org/post/20070324.1030
2005
----
Tomato viruses - Ecuador http://promedmail.org/post/20051125.3418
Pepino mosaic virus, tomato - Hungary (02):1st report, correction
http://promedmail.org/post/20050206.0401
Pepino mosaic virus, tomato - Hungary (1st report)
http://promedmail.org/post/20050205.0395
Pepino mosaic, surveys, EPPO - United Kingdom
http://promedmail.org/post/20050120.0201
and older items in the archives]

Website: http://www.isid.org

Published: July 2, 2021