Necrotic Potato tubers infected by Eggplant Mottled Dwarf Virus in Italy

Potato (Solanum tuberosum subsp. tuberosum) alterations characterized by severe necrosis of vascular rings and adjacent flesh were observed in potato cv. Vivaldi in Emilia Romagna (northen Italy). The presence of Eggplant mottled dwarf virus (EMDV) was demonstrated in diseased plants by bioassays, electron microscopy, serology and RT-PCR. Symptoms similar to those observed in cv. Vivaldi were observed in other potato cultivars and areas of central and southern Italy. This is the first report of natural occurrence of EMDV in potato in Italy.