First report of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. poinsettiicola in Austria
In September 2007, typical symptoms of bacterial leaf spot were observed on potted plants of Euphorbia pulcherrima in a commercial nursery in Kärnten (Carinthia), Southern Austria. Leaf symptoms were characterized by dark to rust-brown spots with yellow haloes which sometimes coalesced. Laboratory analysis (colony morphology, PCR assays, sequencing, pathogenicity tests) confirmed the presence of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. poinsettiicola (EPPO Alert List). This is the first report of this bacterium in Austria. It is considered that outbreaks of this disease in nurseries may have a major economic impact because the Austrian production of E. pulcherrima plants reaches approximately 3.5 million units per year.
The situation of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. poinsettiicola in Austria can be described as follows: Present, first found in 2007 in one nursery in Kärnten (Carinthia).
Sources
Gottsberger RA, Plenk A (2008) First report of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. poinsettiicola, the bacterial leaf spot pathogen on Euphorbia pulcherrima in Austria. New Disease Reports, Volume 17, February 2008 - July 2008. http://www.bspp.org.uk/ndr/july2008/2008-36.asp