Sharka / Plum Pox
Plum pox virus (PPV) was discovered for the first time in North America in 1999 in a peach orchard in Adams County, Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania, peach, plum, nectarine, and apricot stone fruit and native and ornamental Prunus are susceptible to PPV, Strain D. In 2007 to 2009 analyses of PPV survey data showed that all quarantined areas met the three-year requirement of no new positives. Lifting the quarantine in Pennsylvania opens many acres for replanting Prunus. New plantings offer the opportunity for a “fresh start” and growers must plan carefully to get the most from their investment.
