Eradication of Fusarium circinatum from Uruguay
In Uruguay, Fusarium circinatum (EPPO A2 List) was reported for the first time in 2009 (EPPO RS 2013/005) in Pinus taeda nurseries at low incidence levels (Alonso & Bettuci, 2009). Investigations carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture of Uruguay showed that this detection was linked to an infected seed lot imported from the USA. All pine seedlings and seeds belonging to this imported lot and still present in the nurseries were immediately destroyed. Specific surveys were carried across the country in all forest nurseries producing Pinus seedlings, as well as in selected forest stands, and did not detect F. circinatum. In 2019 and within the framework of a specific forestry project, surveys were carried out in nurseries across Uruguay and none of the samples collected from P. taeda and P. elliottii tested positive for F. circinatum. Finally, annual surveys are currently being conducted in forest nurseries and no symptoms resembling those caused by the fungus have been observed. Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture considers that F. circinatum has successfully been eradicated from Uruguay.
The pest status of Fusarium circinatum in Uruguay is officially declared as: Absent.
Sources
Alonso R, Bettucci L (2009) First report of the pitch canker fungus Fusarium circinatum affecting Pinus taeda seedlings in Uruguay. Australasian Plant Disease Notes 4, 91–92.
Ministerio de Ganadería, Agricultura y Pesca. Dirección General de Servicios Agrícolas via European Commission (2021-12).