Plum pox virus in Canada:: progress in research and future prospects for disease control

Plum pox virus (PPV), one of the polyviruses originally from Europe and recently found in Canada, is the causative agent of sharka in Prunoideae. The virus infects many types of ornamental as well as stone-fruit Prunus spp., such as peach, nectarine, plum, cherry, and apricot, resulting in extensive economic losses. Immediately after it was found in Canada, a PPV eradication, grower compensation, and research program funded by the Canadian federal and provincial governments was implemented. This review summarizes general information about PPV, including the physical and molecular features of the viral pathogen, symptoms of the disease, geographical distribution, and current control strategy, and highlights research progress and future prospects for control of the disease in Canada.