Detection of Tomato Ringspot Virus on Stone Fruit Trees in Jordan

Field surveys were conducted to asses the incidence of Tomato ringspot virus (ToRSV , genus Nepovirus, Family Comoviridae) infection in stone fruit trees in Jordan during 2000-2002. A total of 2546 samples, collected from commercial orchards, a mother block, nurseries and a varietal collection were tested for ToRSV infection by DAS-ELISA. Results showed that 16% of the tested samples were infected with the virus. The disease incidence percentages in apricot, almond, peach, nectarine, plum and cherry trees were 10, 14, 15, 19, 22 and 28% of the tested trees, respectively. The level of viral infection was highest in the commercial orchards (20%) and lowest in samples obtained from nurseries (5%)