Viral diseases in the most widespread Balkan varieties of grapes in Kosovo

Abstract

This study was conducted in several farms in Rahovec, Suhareka and Prizren municipalities where viniculture is developed. The following samples of varieties were selected in above mentioned regions: Afuzali, Demirkapi, Groqanka, Melnik, Pllovdin, Prokupe, Smedereve, Vranac and Zhillavk. In Rahovec region a total of 155 samples were selected, followed by the Suhareka region with 90 samples and Prizren region with a total of 5 samples. In August (2014) the labelling of samples and observation of symptoms were conducted and in January (2015) sample collection was carried out, whereas in April (2015) all samples were tested with ELISA method. All samples (300) were tested for seven viruses: Nepoviruses: (GFLV, ArMV), Closterovirus: (GLRaV-2), Ampeloviruses: (GLRaV-1, GLRaV-3), Vitivirus: (GVB) and Vitivirus: (GVA). According to the results of the ELISA test, GLRaV-3 is the most common virus with (13.3%). The second most common virus is GLRaV-1 with (8%), followed by GVA (7.3%). Regarding GFLV (2.3%) and ArMV (1%), these viruses were detected with very low incidence. None of the tested samples gave any positive reaction to GLRaV -2 and GVB. In respect of the virus distribution based on regionalization, out of 125 samples selected in Rahovec 44% came up with a positive result and out of 95 samples in Suhareka 38 were infected, whereas in Prizren only 1% samples out of 40 samples were infected.

Key words: Test ELISA, Nepoviruse, Closterovirus, Ampeloviruses, Vitivirus.