Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) solanacearum found again in the Netherlands
Surveys have been carried out in the Netherlands and revealed the presence of Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) solanacearum (race 3) in potato lots. These results were officially confirmed in October 1995. So far, infected lots were found on 38 farms. This comprises approximately 200 hectares of affected farms (100 ha of seed potatoes and 100 ha of ware potatoes). Infected farms are found at several locations in the Netherlands. There are no connections with the 1993 findings of potato brown rot in the south-eastern part of the Netherlands (EPPO RS 93/070). Relationships between infected lots are mainly of a clonal type, although in some cases lots had been affected by contact.
Infected farms have been put under strict phytosanitary measures aiming at the elimination of the disease and prevention of further spread. At present, all lots of seed potatoes intended for trade originate from farms where the disease has not been found. In addition, samples are taken and tested to ascertain the absence of this pathogen. Testing capacity has been increased drastically to over 1,000 samples per day. Surveys on this disease are indeed continuing intensively in the Netherlands.
Sources
Dutch Plant Protection Service, 1995-11.