Psa-like symptoms that are persistent but don’t return a positive result, particularly those from exclusion or containment regions, may be forwarded by KVH to MPI to identify pathogens causing the symptoms. These samples are also screened against other Psa strains and cherry leaf roll virus.

A number of endophytic or environmental bacterial have been reported from previous investigations and also fungal species which are likely to have entered the plants through wounds.

This highlights the value of orchard hygiene, particularly sanitising tools and protecting wounds to minimise plant exposure to pathogens.
A set of sample results are available on the KVH website – click here.