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POSTERS: Population biology and genetics

Stone fruit commodity survey in Texas monitoring for pests and pathogens of high concern: 2018-2019
Brittnay Meyer - Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Kevin Ong- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, S. Corinne Rhodes- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

The Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab continued participation in the National Stone Fruit Survey in 2018, monitoring for pest and pathogens of concern for the stone fruit industry in Texas. Orchards in nine different counties in Texas were tested for the presence of plum pox virus (PPV). A total of 472 foliar peach samples were collected. For virus detection, each sample was tested by ELISA using Agdia ELISA kits following USDA APHIS PPQ and National Plant Diagnostic Network protocols. All 472 samples tested negative for all strains of PPV. Additionally, 868 visual observations were made for European stone fruit yellows (ESFY, causal agent ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma prunorum’) and phony peach disease (PPD, causal agent Xylella fastidiosa). Disease symptoms were not observed in the surveyed orchards. Jackson traps were also set in each orchard and the Texas A&M stone fruit breeding plots to screen for the light brown apple moth (LBAM, Epiphyas postvittana). A total of 45 traps were collected and LBAM was not observed. These continued survey efforts ensure that stone fruit orchards in Texas remain free of these invasive threats and allow for their early detection if they are introduced. Surveying will continue in 2019, focusing on almond witches’ broom (AlmWB), PPV, ESFY, PPD and LBAM.