Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni: two new outbreaks in Spain
In 2017, the NPPO of Spain reported two new outbreaks of Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni: (EPPO A2 List) on its territory, in Andalucía and Cataluña.
In Andalucía: X. arboricola pv. pruni was detected in June 2017 in an almond (Prunus dulcis) orchard located in the municipality of Lebrija (province of Sevilla). This is the first time that the bacterium is reported from the province of Sevilla. The source of infection is being investigated and phytosanitary measures were taken to prevent any further spread. These measures included: destruction of almond fruit at harvest and of plant debris (remains after pruning, leaves, branches), preventive treatments in the infected plot and its vicinity, disinfection of agricultural tools and machinery.
In Cataluña: X. arboricola pv. pruni was detected in August 2017 in a nursey (16.7 ha) located in the municipality of Galvet de la Conca (province of Lleida). The bacterium was detected in 38 seedlings of different peach (Prunus persica) varieties and in 1 apricot (Prunus armeniaca) tree. The infection was delimited to 17 lots composed of 26 564 seedlings. Samples were collected and tested for the bacterium, but all results were negative. Phytosanitary measures were taken to eradicate the disease.
The pest status of Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni in Spain is officially declared as: Present, only in some parts of the Member State concerned, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Spain (2017-08, 2017-11).