First report of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ on carrots in Morocco
In March 2014, carrot plants (Daucus carota cv. ‘Mascot’) showing symptoms of yellowing, purpling and curling of leaves, proliferation of shoots, formation of hairy secondary roots, general stunting and plant decline were observed in commercial fields in the Gharb region of Morocco. In these fields, approximately 30% of the plants were symptomatic and unidentified psyllid nymphs were present. A total of 10 symptomatic and 2 asymptomatic samples were collected from 3 carrot fields. Laboratory testing (PCR, sequencing) confirmed the presence of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ (EPPO A1 List – Solanaceae haplotypes) in symptomatic samples. The bacterium was not detected in asymptomatic ones. This is the first time that ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ is reported from Morocco. This is also a first record for Africa.
The situation of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ in Morocco can be described as follows: Present, first found in 2014 in carrot crops in the Gharb region.
Sources
Tahzima R, Maes M, Achbani EH, Swisher KD, Munyaneza JE, de Jonghe K (2014) First report of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ on carrot in Africa. Plant Disease 98(10), p 1426.