First report of Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni in the Netherlands on ornamental Prunus laurocerasus
During 2008, Dutch growers reported an increasing incidence of foliar spot diseases on ornamental plants for planting of Prunus laurocerasus. In November 2008, samples were collected from 6 companies and tested positive for the presence of Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni (EPPO A2 List). The identity of the bacterium was determined on the basis of the EPPO diagnostic protocol (EPPO Standard PM 7/64(1), 2006). According to these results, only a limited number of plants are affected by X. arboricola pv. pruni in the northern and southern parts of the Netherlands. However, considering the increasing number of disease reports made by growers of P. laurocerasus, it is presumed that the bacterium might occur in other parts of the country. So far, X. arboricola pv. pruni has only been detected in the ornamental species, P. lauroceracus. Intensive surveys will be carried in the Netherlands to determine the extent of the disease and appropriate phytosanitary measures (restrictions on plant movements) will be applied to prevent any further spread. This is the first record of X. arboricola pv. pruni in the Netherlands.
The pest status of Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni in the Netherlands is officially declared as: Present, in some parts of the area only on Prunus laurocerasus.
Sources
NPPO of the Netherlands, 2009-09.
INTERNET (last accessed 2009-09)
Plantenziektenkundige Dienst. Pest report - Pest report - Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni (2009-07-02). http://www.minlnv.nl/portal/page?_pageid=142,2268041;_dad=portal;_schema=PORTAL;p_file_id=39832