Updated situation of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ in Sweden
The NPPO of Sweden recently provided the EPPO Secretariat with more details about the first report of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ (the potato haplotypes are listed in EPPO A1 List) on its territory (EPPO RS 2012/119). ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ was first found in 2011 in commercial fields of carrots (Daucus carota) in the county of Halland (Southern Sweden). During 2011, 33 ha of carrot fields were investigated and approximately 70% of the investigated area showed symptoms of ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’. In these fields, the disease incidence ranged from 1 to 45%. It is recalled that the disease is transmitted by the carrot psyllid (Trioza apicalis) which is widespread in Europe. In the county of Halland, symptoms had been observed in carrot fields for several years but the identity of the pathogen was confirmed by molecular tests (PCR) in 2011 in carrot and psyllid samples. Additional sampling has been carried out in the counties of Halland and Skåne, but testing results are not yet available. The source of this outbreak is unknown. No official phytosanitary measures were taken.
The pest status of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ in Sweden is officially declared as: Present, only in a limited part of Sweden.
Sources
NPPO of Sweden (2016-10).