Updated situation of Ralstonia solanacearum in the Netherlands

The National Plant Protection Organization of the Netherlands recently informed the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) Secretariat of the current situation of Ralstonia solanacearum on its territory. In the January 2017 issue of the EPPO Reporting Service, the current situation in different product categories has been published:

Ornamental Anthurium plants: case closed

In August 2015, R. solanacearum (race 1) was detected in a glasshouse producing cut flowers of Anthurium spp. plants (cvs.’Midori’, ‘Pistache’ and ‘Fire’) located in the municipality of Bleiswijk (see EPPO RS 2015/164). All Anthurium plants have been destroyed and the glasshouse disinfected. The grower has decided to grow another crop. The Dutch NPPO considers that this case is now closed.

Ornamental Rosa plants for planting for cut flower production: eradication continues

In September and October 2015, R. solanacearum (race 1) was found in glasshouse companies producing Rosa plants for planting, intended to be used subsequently for cut flower.

EPPO Reporting Service 2017 no. 1 – Diseases 13 production (see EPPO RS 2015/182). In 2015 and 2016, tracing-back and tracing-forward investigations revealed the presence of R. solanacearum in 15 companies (including 5 propagation companies). On all these production sites, all affected lots have been destroyed. Cut flower lots which tested negative for R. solanacearum were allowed to be traded. After having taken eradication measures in all companies concerned, sampling and testing of water samples showed that some companies were now free from the bacterium. Eradication is continuing, as well as investigations to determine the possible source of the disease on Rosa in the Netherlands.

Solanum melongena plants for fruit production: successful eradication

In June 2016, R. solanacearum (race 3) was detected in a glasshouse producing fruit of S. melongena (aubergine) located in the municipality of Westland, province of South Holland (see EPPO RS 2016/136). All infected plants have been destroyed, as well as the associated growing media. The glasshouse has been disinfected and the soil steamed. In November 2016, the Dutch NPPO officially declared that this outbreak has been eradicated.

The pest status of Ralstonia solanacearum in the Netherlands is officially declared as:

in potato production chain: transient, incidental findings, under eradication;
in natural environment (surface water): present;
in Solanum melongena plants: eradicated.
in Rosa plants: transient: actionable found on Rosa plants for planting, under eradication.

This report was published by the EPPO Reporting Service. Every Month, the Secretariat of the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) publishes a report on events of phytosanitary concern. It focuses on new geographical records, new host plants, new pests (including invasive alien plants), pests to be added to the EPPO Alert List, detection and identification methods etc.

Click here for pictures at gd.eppo.int

For more information
EPPO
gd.eppo.int