First report of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis in Cyprus
The EPPO Secretariat has recently been informed by the NPPO of Cyprus of the first finding of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) on tomatoes in Cyprus. In July 1998, symptoms of bacterial canker were observed in several tomato field crops in Eftagonia (Limassol district) and later in Odou (Larnaca district) and Pharmaca (Nicosia district). The incidence of infection ranged between 5 to 90 %. The tomato cultivars grown in the area were A178, A179 and Graciella. The latter cultivar had a lower infection rate. The causal agent was identified as Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis. The identification was also confirmed by the Bacteriology Laboratory at the Benaki Phytopathological Institute, Athens, Greece.
Sources
NPPO of Cyprus, 1999-03.