Symptomatology and Incidence of Prunus Necrotic Ringspot Virus in Peach Orchards in Georgia. J. M. Wells, Research Plant Pathologists, Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Laboratory, USDA, ARS, Byron, GA 31008. H. C. Kirkpatrick, Research Plant Pathologists, Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Laboratory, USDA, ARS, Byron, GA 31008; and C. L. Parish, Plant Pathologist, Tree Research Laboratory, USDA, ARS, Wenatchee, WA 98801. Plant Dis. 70:444-447. Accepted for publication 15 October 1985. This article is in the public domain and not copyrightable. It may be freely reprinted with customary crediting of the source. The American Phytopathological Society, 1986. DOI: 10.1094/PD-70-444.

Peach cultivars in central Georgia developed foliar chlorotic rings and necrosis during the first year after bud-inoculation with Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PRSV). Twig dieback, bark necrosis, root sprouts, and trunk cankers developed during subsequent years. Symptoms on inoculated trees resembled those of the slow-decline disease prevalent in central Georgia orchards, particularly the extensive bark necrosis and longitudinal trunk cankers. The virus was detected in commercial orchards only in central Georgia by direct bioassay with Shirofugen flowering cherry or by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In Peach County, 16% of apparently healthy (symptomless) trees and 25% of trees showing symptoms of slow decline were positive for PRSV. In Houston County, 42% of symptomless trees and 73% of trees in decline were positive. Prune dwarf virus was detected in only 7% of the PRSV-positive trees.