Pennsylvania Fruit Tree Improvement Program Ensures Clean Trees

Just like humans, trees can be infected by viruses, many of them deadly. Viruses cannot be controlled by spraying a pesticide; the only means of control is to not introduce them into an orchard in the first place. According to Sarah Gettys, PDA fruit tree certification technician, once a tree has been infected by virus it cannot be cured. “The only way to remove a virus from an orchard or a block of nursery trees is to destroy the infected trees. The Fruit Tree Improvement Program (FTIP) is a virus-tested certification program that is based upon the propagation of new trees in the nursery from parent trees that have been tested and found virus-free.”

Due to the nature of propagation techniques, viruses can be unintentionally and rapidly spread during the production of nursery stock. While some viruses are known to have a minor impact on infected trees, others can cause very serious diseases. Economic impacts of fruit tree viruses include delayed maturity, increased agricultural inputs, reduced growth, reduced yield, inferior fruit quality, graft incompatibility, and plant mortality.

Gettys says in Pennsylvania, the FTIP focuses on the four fruit tree viruses most responsible for economic and horticultural problems: plum pox, tomato ringspot, prune dwarf, and prunus necrotic ring spot. The program is open to any nurseries producing nursery stock of both fruit-bearing and ornamental species of stone fruit (e.g. peaches, cherries, etc.), apple, pear, and quince trees. Nurseries can apply by filling out the downloadable application from the program’s website at http://tinyurl.com/bwzcymg. The PDA will then contact the nursery, conduct a systems audit of the facility, determine best management strategies, and test and inspect trees and growing sites for viruses and vectors.

According to Gettys, programs such as the FTIP are the most effective way to produce nursery trees that are free from viruses of concern. “It does take grower dedication and input, but there are monetary benefits to being able to sell certified virus-tested trees. Hobbyists and commercial orchards are going to start out with healthier trees, and only virus-tested certified trees can be shipped from the US into Canada.”
For more information about the FTIP, visit the program’s website at http://tinyurl.com/bwzcymg or contact Gettys at sgettys@pa.gov or (717) 585-3519.

The Pennsylvania IPM program is a collaboration between the Pennsylvania State University and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture aimed at promoting integrated pest management in both agricultural and urban settings. For more information, contact the program at 814-865-2839, or go to www.paipm.org.