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.

**October 29, 2009 - PDA Says Pennsylvania is Free of Plum Pox Virus in Fruit Trees; All Quarantines Lifted Read more .....

Resources for Fruit Growers and Nurseries:

Fact Sheets/Publications - all are PDF's

Replanting Prunus in Sites Previously Affected by Plum Pox
Important Steps to Replant Success
Recommended Peach Cultivars
Plum Pox Virus of Stone Fruits
Plum Pox Virus and Other Diseases of Stone Fruit (AGRS-81) - a guide to assist stone fruit growers to identify PPV and differentiate it from other disease symptoms.
**to order a hard copy of this guide, please see the College's publication order page
Plum Pox - A Devastating Threat to Peaches, Apricots, Plums, Nectarines, Almonds, and Sweet and Tart Cherries

Powerpoints

Re-inventing our Peach Industry (266 KB)
Important Orchard Replant Considerations (large file - 3 MB)

Resources for Ornamental Growers, Nurseries and Garden Centers:

Fact Sheets/Point of Purchase Materials

Alternatives for Prunus in the Nursery and Landscape
Selecting the right plant for the right place (PDF)
Beautiful Gardens Begin with Soil
Choosing a Top-Quality Tree
Caring for Baby Trees
Choosing Fertilizers

Powerpoints

Introduce New Plants - Not New Pests to Your Landscape or Orchard (5 MB)
Landscape Planning & Site Assessment: Keys to Successful Plant Selection (11 MB)
Improving the Establishment & Care of Woody Plants in the Landscape (9 MB)

Other Resources:

News Briefs

PDA ANNOUNCES THAT PENNSYLVANIA IS FREE OF PLUM POX VIRUS, QUARANTINE LIFTED: Pennsylvania acting Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced today that after 10 years, the Plum Pox Virus has been eradicated in the state. (10/09)
more information ...

PENN STATE PRESENCE MADE MAJOR DIFFERENCE IN PLUM POX ERADICATION: Thanks to quick action by state and federal officials, Penn State researchers and extension educators, and local growers, the virus was contained and eventually eliminated. (11/09)
more information ...

PLUM POX SURVEY SUMMARY 2009: In 2009, joint USDA/PDA survey in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania generated a total of 226,534 laboratory (ELISA) samples, with no PPV detections. This is the third year of all negative PPV data for the Commonwealth. (10/09)
more information ...

2008-2009 PLUM POX VIRUS UPDATE: The 2008 PPV survey season was the second consecutive year of all negative testing data for the virus. The USDA and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture are encouraged by these results and plan to commit the necessary financial and personnel resources to the eradication program again in 2009. (1/09)
more information ...

PLUM POX RESULTS BRING GOOD NEWS TO PENNSYLVANIA PRUNUS FRUIT AND ORNAMENTAL GROWERS: In welcome news to Pennsylvania Prunus fruit and ornamental growers, Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff announced on October 25, 2007 that for the first time in eight years the department’s sampling of stone fruit trees uncovered no new cases of Plum Pox Virus. (10/07)
more information.....

Useful links

Penn State Fruit Research & Extension Center (FREC)
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA)
National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN)
West Virginia University Plum Pox Resources
Michigan State University IPM Resources
Cornell University - Annual Plum Pox Virus Survey
Cornell detects Plum Pox Virus in New York State
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
APHIS
National Research Support Project 5
Invasive Species
APS: Plant Pathology Online: Plum Pox
APS: Plant Pathology Online: New Plant Viruses
VIDE Plant Viruses Online: Plum Pox
Research Penn State magazine - May 2004, Pennsylvania Stories: Invasive Procedure
APHIS - Plant Pest Program Information (Pest List)
Sudden Oak Death (Phytophthora ramorum)
Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis)

Contact List

NOTE: If you plan to replant peaches in a previously quarantined area, it is important to get your orchard back on the PPV Field Survey List.