Situation of Ralstonia solanacearum in Turkey in 2006
The NPPO of Turkey recently informed the EPPO Secretariat about the situation of Ralstonia solanacearum (EPPO A2 List) in 2006. In Turkey, potato brown rot was first detected in potato fields in the province of Nevşehir in 1995. Surveys were conducted and showed that 5 farms were found infected. Eradication measures were taken and the disease was no longer found. In 2006, the disease was detected again in one ware potato field near Altınova (province of Balıkesir, Marmara region). Delimiting surveys were conducted and showed that approximately 163 ha were infected at Altınova (see EPPO RS 2007/005). In summer 2006, severe wilt symptoms were observed on tomato fields at Barakova (province of Çanakkale, Aegean region). Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of R. solanacearum. Delimiting surveys showed that approximately 67 ha were infected. The bacterium was also detected in canal water used to irrigate the infected fields. Phytosanitary measures transposed from the EU Directive 98/57/EEC were applied. The main measures include a prohibition to produce solanaceous plants and other hosts on the infested areas, tracing and testing programmes to investigate the source of contamination and measures to prevent any further spread of the bacterium to new areas.
The situation of Ralstonia solanacearum in Turkey can be described as follows: Present, first reported in 1995 in Central Anatolia but then no longer detected, two outbreaks found in 2006 in Marmara region (potato) and Aegean region (tomato), under official control.
Sources
NPPO of Turkey, 2007-07.