Further details on the first outbreak of fireblight in Bulgaria (1989-90)
The first signs of the occurrence of fireblight (Erwinia amylovora – EPPO A2 quarantine pest) were seen in Bulgaria in 1989. Essentially two foci were found in the region of Plovdiv, on quince (Tzaratzovo village) and pear orchards (Plovdiv). It was then found that some quince orchards and single trees in private gardens in the region of Plovdiv and seven surrounding villages were affected by the same disease. Studies carried out in 1990, showed that the Bulgarian isolates found on quince and pear in the region of Plovdiv belonged to E. amylovora. This was the first report of fireblight in Bulgaria. These foci were then considered as eradicated, as the affected trees had been destroyed and the disease was no longer observed.
However, in 1995, E. amylovora was found again in the region of Kiustendil, near Macedonia (see EPPO RS 95/199) and an eradication programme was put into place. The EPPO Secretariat will make enquiries about the present situation of fireblight in Bulgaria.
Sources
Bobev, S. (1989) [Bacteriosis of quince].
Higher Institute of Agriculture-Plovdiv, Scientific Works. Vol. XXXIV, book 4. Third scientific conference with international participation on intensification and ecologization of agriculture, p 99-101.
Bobev, S. (1990) [Fire blight of tree fruits in Bulgaria - Characterization of its pathogen].
Higher Institute of Agriculture-Plovdiv, Scientific Works. Vol. XXXV, book 4, 227-231.