First report of European mountain ash ringspot-associated virus in serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.) in Sweden. EMARaV Amelanchier Sweden

Chlorotic ringspots, mottle and line pattern have been reported to be associated with the infection of European mountain ash ringspot associated virus (EMARaV) in different species of serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.), for instance in the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and in Germany. In 2019, we found several serviceberries showing chlorotic ringspots, mottle and line pattern of leaves growing as understory in a typical mixed forest stand in Sweden. To confirm the presence of EMARaV in serviceberry trees with virus-suspected symptoms, we extracted total RNA from leaf samples. We tested samples by RT-PCR using a genus-specific primer set to detect RNA1 and EMARaV-specific primers targeting RNA2, RNA3, RNA4 and RNA6. We detected all tested five RNAs of EMARaV in each of the serviceberries exhibiting symptoms. EMARaV infection was confirmed by sequencing of the PCR fragments. This is the first record of EMARaV affecting serviceberry exhibiting chlorotic ringspots and mottling in Sweden.