First report of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ in Austria
The NPPO of Austria recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first report of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ (EPPO A1 List – Solanaceae haplotypes) on Apiaceae on its territory. The pathogen was found in the region of Tyrol in 2 fields of carrot and celery (Daucus carota subsp. sativus and Apium graveolens, both Apiaceae). Samples were taken from Solanaceae plants growing in adjacent fields but all tested negative for ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’, thus confirming that Solanaceae haplotypes were not present in Austria. The identity of the pathogen was confirmed by PCR tests at the Institute for Sustainable Plant Production of AGES (Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety). The origin of this infection is unknown. The regional Plant Protection Service has ordered the destruction of the infested plants by ploughing under.
The pest status of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ in Austria is officially declared as: Transient, actionable, under surveillance.
Sources
NPPO of Austria (2015-02).