Identification of interspecific peach and Prunus sp. hybrids resistant to Plum pox virus infection

Abstract

Interspecific hybrids of Prunus persica, Barier, Fire, Cadaman, GF-677, and Prunus sp. hybrids and selections, MRS, NBS 540-73, and Pumiselect were evaluated for resistance to Plum pox virus. Hybrids were grafted onto trees of a peach cultivar artificially infected with PPV and evaluated for six years for resistance to the virus. The relative concentration of PPV protein was determined by semiquantitative ELISA in June every year. The presence of PPV in peach hybrids was confirmed by IC-RT-PCR in 2007-2008. The presence and intensity of PPV symptoms were evaluated monthly from May to September. The hybrid GF-677 (P. amygdalus × P. persica) was confirmed as highly resistant to PPV. Hybrids Cadaman (P. davidiana × P. persica) and Fire (P. amygdalus × P. persica) were characterized as resistant to PPV. Hybrids GF-677, Cadaman and Fire were selected as candidate sources of resistance to be crossed with peach cultivars susceptible to PPV.

Keywords

• sharka disease
• peach
• prunus sp.
• sources of resistance
• determination
• intensity of symptoms
• semiquantitative elisa
• ic-rt-pcr detection