Efficiency of inoculation of peach GF305 seedlings with Plum pox virus by different methods

Peach GF305 is frequently used as rootstock in experiments to evaluate the resistance of different species of Prunus to Plum pox virus (PPV) because of its extreme susceptibility. However, transmission of PPV in Prunus species is sometimes problematic due to its low concentration or uneven distribution in these species. To determine the most effective way of transmitting the virus, different infection methods (by aphids, grafting, mechanical infection and injection) were tested using Dideron PPV isolates. The most effective method was the grafting of herbaceous material with inoculum derived from similar herbaceous material. Infection by aphids was more laborious and less effective than grafting, showing many disadvantages. Neither mechanical infection nor injection transmitted the virus.