The causal agent of CGRMV was identified about ten years ago in infected
cherry trees in the USA.
While the disease usually remains latent on sweet
cherry and peach, sour cherry and ornamental Prunus species develop
leaf yellowing and dark mottles around secondary veins in early June. The
fruits are often necrotized. On P. serrulata the disease is very severe
with twisting and atrophy of the youngest leaves. In early summer the
bark cracks and the young tips die. With rising temperatures in summer plants
recover temporarily.
About 5 % of cherry and peach cultivars are contaminated with latent
CGRMV. It seems to be evenly distributed in the plant and not epidemic. Indexing on
P. serrulata and recently developed PCR tests are used for detection of
the pathogen.