First report of Diaporthe vaccinii in Poland and its subsequent eradication
The NPPO of Poland recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first finding of Diaporthe vaccinii (EPPO A2 List) on its territory. In 2013, 6 samples of shoots and fruit were collected from Vaccinium macrocarpon plants showing dieback symptoms by the Research Institute of Horticulture. These samples were taken from a plot grown for research purposes in the Łódzkie voivodeship (central Poland) and tested by the Central Laboratory. On the basis of morphological and molecular methods, the causal agent was identified as Phomopsis vaccinii (anamorph of D. vaccinii). These results were then confirmed by the National Reference Center in Wageningen (NL). As the infected plot was established 20 years ago, the origin of the seedlings could not be traced and the source of this infection remains unknown. All plants of V. macrocarpon growing on the plot concerned were removed and burnt in autumn 2013. The NPPO of Poland now considers that D. vaccinii has been eradicated.
The pest status of Diaporthe vaccinii in Poland is officially declared as: Absent, pest eradicated.
Sources
NPPO of Poland (2015-01).