Xanthomonas vesicatoria occurs in Tanzania
Studies were carried out in Tanzania to verify the possible presence of Xanthomonas vesicatoria (EPPO A2 quarantine pest). Field surveys were done during the rainy season of 1997 and 1998, and showed that X. vesicatoria was present in tomato and capsicum fields in all the main vegetable-growing regions of northern and southern highlands, but not in Zanzibar. In the studied tomato fields where symptoms could be observed, disease incidence varied greatly between years and fields (from less than 5 % to more than 90 %). In capsicum fields, the incidence was much lower (maximum 5 %). The identity of the bacterium was confirmed by isolation on semi-selective medium, biochemical and pathogenicity tests on tomato. The presence of the bacteria was also studied in seed lots. It was detected in 5 out of 26 farmers’ saved seed lots, in 2 out of 3 commercial capsicum seed lots, but it was not found in 12 tested commercial tomato seed lots. According to the EPPO Secretariat, this is the first record of X. vesicatoria in Tanzania. The situation of X. vesicatoria in Tanzania can be described as follows: Present in all the main vegetable-growing regions of northern and southern highlands (but absent in Zanzibar).
Sources
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Black, R.; Seal, S.; Abubakar, Z.; Nono-Womdim, R.; Swai, I. (2001) Bacterial spot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria) of tomato and sweet pepper in Tanzania. New Disease Reports, volume 3.
http://www.bspp.org.uk/ndr/jul2001/2001-36.htm
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