Occurrence of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma prunorum’ in Germany
In Germany, the presence of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma prunorum’ (European stone fruit yellows – EU Annexes) has been reported from Hessen, Nordrhein-Westfalen and Rheinland-Pfalz (Jarausch et al., 2006). The NPPO of Germany recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the detection of ‘Ca. Phytoplasma prunorum’ in Schleswig-Holstein and Baden-Württemberg.
- Schleswig-Holstein:
‘Ca. Phytoplasma prunorum’ was detected in August 2008 in 2 registered companies producing propagation material of Prunus pumila, P. persica and P. armeniaca. Affected plants did not show any symptoms but PCR tests confirmed the presence of the phytoplasma. All infected plants have been destroyed. The origin of this infection is not known.
- Baden-Württemberg:
Between May and October 2008, samples of P. domestica, P. armeniaca, and P. persica showing symptoms of European stone fruit yellows or without any symptoms were collected from different places and tested by PCR for the presence of phytoplasmas. For technical reasons, only universal primers were used and therefore the identity of the phytoplasmas involved could not be specified. Nevertheless, on the basis of symptomatology, it was assumed that the plants which had tested positive were infected by ‘Ca. Phytoplasma prunorum’.
The pest status of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma prunorum’ in Germany is officially declared as: Present, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Germany, 2009-01.
Jarausch B, Mühlenz I, Beck A, Lampe I, Harzer U, Jarausch W (2006) [Epidemiology of European Stone Fruit Yellows (ESFY) in Germany]. 55. Deutsche Pflanzenschutztagung (Göttingen, 2006-09-25-28). Mitteilungen aus der Biologischen Bundesanstalt für Land- und Forstwirtschaft Berlin-Dahlem no. 400, S 274 (in German).