Phytosanitary incidents reported on bonsais and pot plants in the Netherlands
The NPPO of the Netherlands informed the EPPO Secretariat of the following phytosanitary incidents found in 2000 on bonsais and pot plants. Every year, the Dutch NPPO carries out various regular inspections at places of production. These inspections are performed to follow-up inspections done at the time of import, and secondly to issue plant passports.
Bonsai plants
During regular inspections of various firms growing bonsai plants, infestations of Anoplophora chinensis (EPPO A1 quarantine pest) and Cnidocampa flavescens on Acer palmatum, and of Rhizoecus hibisci (EU Annexes) on Celtis, Serissa and Zelkova were found. In addition, infestations of Stegophora ulmea (EPPO Alert List) on Ulmus and Zelkova, and of Oligonychus perditus (EPPO A1 quarantine pest) on Juniperus were found. The inspections were carried out as a follow-up of earlier inspections done at the time of import. All plants concerned were imported from China, except some Juniperus plants which were imported from Japan. The pests were most likely introduced from China and Japan with the imported bonsai plants.
Under the supervision of the Dutch NPPO, infested plants were either destroyed or treated depending on the availability of chemical treatments. Furthermore, hygienic measures were applied on the firms concerned, under the supervision of the Dutch NPPO, to prevent any further infestations. The measures applied were successful and all infestations were eradicated.
Citrus pot plants
During regular inspections, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri (EPPO A1 quarantine pest) was found in pot plants of Citrus hystrix in the glasshouse of a firm growing pot plants for the final consumer. The infested plants were imported from Indonesia. Although this is prohibited, 50 plants had been imported under another name. This infringement of the import prohibition was therefore not discovered during import inspection. Infested plants and all other Citrus plants present at this firm were destroyed. Strict hygienic measures were applied. The glasshouse and equipment were disinfected, and the firm was not allowed to drain water into surface water. These measures applied under the supervision of the Dutch NPPO resulted in the eradication of the bacterium.
Bacopa and Portulaca pot plants
During inspections, Tobacco ringspot nepovirus (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) was found in Bacopa and Portulaca. The identity of the virus was confirmed by laboratory tests. The firms concerned had received planting material from the same company in Israel. The Israeli authorities have been informed by the Dutch NPPO. All firms, to which planting material from these Dutch companies had been delivered, were inspected and the virus was found in some of them. Eradication measures were applied under the supervision of the Dutch NPPO, taking into account the fact that the nematode vector, Xiphinema americanum, does not occur in the Netherlands. All infestations were successfully eradicated.
Sources
NPPO of the Netherlands, 2001-02.