First report of Phytophthora ilicis in Germany
The NPPO of Germany recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first finding of Phytophthora ilicis on its territory. The pathogen was found in a nursery located in Pinneberg (north-west of Hamburg) in Schleswig-Holstein on plants for planting of Ilex aquifolium. Infected plants (30 out of a total of 120) were approximately 4 m tall and showed massive leaf fall as well as shoot dieback in the lower part of the plants. These symptoms had been noticed by the grower in December 2015. The identity of the pathogen was confirmed in May 2016 by morphological and molecular (sequencing) methods. All infected plants have been destroyed, and the grower has been recommended not to replant Ilex spp. for the next 3 years. Intensive surveys will be carried out in adjacent areas, including small forest stands, to verify the absence of P. ilicis. The origin of this infection is unknown. Infected plants were purchased from a large Dutch nursery approximately 7 years ago. A Pest Risk Analysis for P. ilicis is under development.
The pest status of Phytophthora ilicis in Germany is officially declared as: Transient, only at one location, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Germany (2016-06).