First record of Ceratocystis fimbriata f.sp. platani in Greece
In Greece, dead and dying plane trees (Platanus orientalis) were observed in 7 different localities of the Messinia prefecture (south-west of Peloponnese) in September 2003. Cankers were found on both trunks and branches. The inner bark and the cambial region of the cankered area showed a bluish-black discolouration and the underlying wood showed dark reddish-brown to bluish-black stains. Stained streaks extended longitudinally in the wood beyond the dead bark. In cross section, the stained wood formed characteristic radial patterns. Ceratocystis fimbriata f.sp. platani (EPPO A2 list) was consistently isolated from stained wood, and Koch’s postulates could then be fulfilled. This is the first report of Ceratocystis fimbriata f.sp. platani in Greece. Sanitation measures have been suggested to limit the spread of the disease.
The situation of Ceratocystis fimbriata f.sp. platani in Greece can be described as follows: Present, first found in 2003 in 7 localities in Messinia prefecture (Peloponnese).
Sources
Tsopelas, P.; Angelopoulos, A. (2004) First report of canker stain disease of plane trees, caused by Ceratocystis fimbriata f.sp. platani in Greece.
New Disease Reports. Volume 8: August 2003 - January 2004.
http://www.bspp.org.uk/ndr