ARS | Publication request: Characterization of Pear Blister Canker Viroid Isolates from Australian Pome Fruit Orchards

Submitted to: Australasian Plant Pathlogy Society
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: May 21, 2006
Publication Date: August 1, 2006
Citation: Joyce, P.A., Constable, F.E., Crosslin, J., Eastwell, K., Howell, W.E., Rodoni, B.C. 2006. Characterization of Pear Blister Canker Viroid Isolates from Australian Pome Fruit Orchards. Australasian Plant Pathlogy Society. 35:465-471.

Interpretive Summary: Viroids are sub-viral pathogens that have been found in numerous crop plants. Tree fruits in particular are hosts of a number of viroids that can affect yield, quality, appearance, and longevity of the trees. This report documents the occurrence and distribution of an important viroid, pear blister canker viroid, on pear, quince, and nashi trees in Australia.

Technical Abstract: Pear blister canker viroid (PBCVd) was detected in pear (Pyrus sp.), nashi (Pyrus serotina) and quince (Cydonia oblonga) trees from various pome fruit growing regions of Australia using dot-blot hybridization and RT-PCR techniques. Characteristic symptoms of PBCVd infection were not observed on the infected trees. This is the first report of PBCVd infecting nashi varieties. The 12 Australian PBCVd isolates showed 92-99% nucleotide sequence identity with previously published sequences of PBCVd from other countries. The Australian isolates fell into two distinct groups based on sequence similarity and secondary structures. The possible origin of PBCVd in Australia is discussed.