First report of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ in a potato tuber in Canada
In Canada, surveys have been conducted in potato (Solanum tuberosum) crops to verify the possible presence of zebra chip disease which is associated with ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ (Solanaceae haplotypes are listed in the EPPO A1 List) and transmitted by Bactericera cockerelli. From 2013 to 2017, 397 potato samples showing phytoplasma-like symptoms, including proliferation of auxiliary shoots or tuber necrosis, were collected from commercial potato farms in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan. Results of laboratory tests (PCR, sequencing) showed that all samples were negative for ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ except a single tuber (S. tuberosum cv. Russet) showing necrotic symptoms. This tuber had been recovered in 2017, after harvest, at the edge of a commercial field in Alberta (county of Forty Mile). This is the first time that ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ is reported on potato in Canada.
The situation of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ in Canada can be described as follows: Present, only in some areas, at low prevalence (detected in 1 potato tuber in Alberta).
Sources
Henrickson A, Kalischuk M, Lynn J, Meers S, Johnson D, Kawchuk L (2019) First report of zebra chip on potato in Canada. Plant Disease 103(5), p. 1016.