Survey of SLRSV, RpRSV, SMYEV and SCrV in Belgium

In order to assess the prevalence of strawberry viruses in Belgium, a survey was carried out since January 2011. 2 aphid-transmitted viruses (SMYEV, Strawberry mild yellow edge virus and SCrV, Strawberry crinkle virus) and 2 nematode-transmitted (RpRSV, Raspberry ringspot virus and SLRSV, Strawberry latent ringspot virus) were targeted through simplex and duplex PCR derived from the protocols of Wei et al. (2008) and Thompson et al. (2003). Samples were collected mainly in strawberry fields (279 samples) but also in Rubus sp. (59 samples), Ribes sp. (32 samples) and Prunus sp. (95 cherry samples). SCrV analyses were limited to the genus Fragaria. Until now, no virus transmitted by Xiphinema sp. and/or Longidorus sp. was detected; only, 5 strawberry leaves samples were infected by SMYEV; amongst these, 2 were also positive for SCrV. To our knowledge, these are the first reports for these 2 viruses in Belgium. A monitoring of the infected fields has been set up.