Peach rosette phytoplasma Peach rosette phytoplasma Synonyms   peach rosette virus  Plant hosts   Peaches (Prunus persica) are the principal host of peach rosette phytoplasma, but the disease is also significant on plums (P. salicina). Other Prunus spp. can be infected such as almonds (P. dulcis), apricots (P. armeniaca), cherries (P. avium and P. cerasus), and ornamental and wild Prunus spp. Symptoms   Symptoms of peach rosette phytoplasma are very similar to those caused by peach rosette mosaic nepovirus. On peaches, new shoots have very short internodes causing the leaves to be in very tight clusters or brooms. The leaves of the older shoots prematurely fall in early summer leaving only bunches of young leaves on the tips of naked shoots. Flowers rarely set fruit. The most severely affected trees die during their first year of disease. Other fruits (Almonds and plums), show similar symptoms. Infected plum trees are seriously stunted.     Symptomatic tree with peach rosette phytoplasma   Image courtesy of W.R. Allen Transmission   No specific insect vector is known and spread by presumed vectors is only local.  The pathogen is most likely to be spread internationally in infected planting material.  Geographic distribution   Italy - a disease resembling peach rosette phytoplasma has recently been reported although true identity needs to be confirmed by molecular identification   USA - Georgia and southeastern states as far west as Texas  Applicable regulations   603-052-0118, Quarantine; Peach rosette phytoplasma   Return to plant pathogen list.