Plum pox, also known as
sharka, is the most devastating viral disease of
stone fruit from the genus
Prunus. The disease is caused by the
plum pox virus (PPV), and the different strains may infect a variety of stone fruit species including
peaches,
apricots,
plums,
nectarine,
almonds, and
sweet and
tart cherries. Wild and ornamental species of
Prunus may also become infected by some strains of the virus.