Absence of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. insidiosus from Czech Republic
In Czech Republic, a survey on Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. insidiosus (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) was carried out in lucerne seeds harvested in 1998 (samples collected from all basic seed lots) and in 1999 (samples from all certified seed lots). Seed samples were tested by the laboratory of the State Phytosanitary Administration. Bacteria were isolated and grown on agar medium. If any bacterial colonies morphologically resembling those of C. michiganensis subsp. insidiosus were found, they were subsequently plated and grown to obtain a pure culture. Serological and biochemical characteristics of pure cultures were then compared with a control strain of C. michiganensis subsp. insidiosus. During this survey, C. michiganensis subsp. insidiosus was not detected in lucerne seeds. In addition, since 1998, field inspections of lucerne seed crops have been carried out on the following categories of crops: in all crops of prebasic material, in at least 50% of the total surface of basic material crops, and in at least 20;% of the surface of certified material crops. These inspections were done during the second and third year of the crop, 2 to 4 weeks after harvest. The disease was not found during these field inspections. The disease had been reported in the past (in the 1960s) from Czechoslovakia, but according to the present results, the Czech NPPO considers that the disease is no longer present.
The situation of C. michiganensis subsp. insidiosus in Czech Republic can be described as follows: Absent, recorded in the past but no longer present.
Sources
NPPO of CZ, 2001-09.