I. Introduction: Prune dwarf virus is named for the symptoms it causes in 'Italian prune', P. domestica. The virus also causes yellows in sour cherry, alone or in combination with Prunus necrotic ringspot virus.

II. Symptoms: Prune dwarf virus causes stunting and leaf malformation in 'Italian Prune' (photo 2-75). It is usually latent in peach and nectarine and may cause chlorotic spots and rings in sweet cherry. If either rootstock or scion is infected, bud "take" drops 40 to 50 percent below normal for healthy stock.

III. Disease Cycle: The virus is borne in pollen and seed. As high as 80 percent transmission in seed of Prunus species has been reported. When infected pollen pollinates a healthy tree, it may also infect that tree, although frequency of this type of transmission tends to be much lower than seed transmission.

IV. Monitoring: Be aware of the symptoms of this disease. No routine monitoring is required.

V. Management:  Nursery certification programs provide budwood to nurseries that is free of PDV.

Prunus Stem Pitting

This disease is discussed in the peach and nectarine section.

X-Disease

This disease is discussed in the peach and nectarine section.

Powdery Mildew, Podosphaera clandestina

This disease is discussed in the cherry section.

Prunus Necrotic Ringspot Virus

This disease is discussed in the cherry section.

Text prepared by R. Welliver and E.V. Podleckis

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