Eradication of Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii in Italy
The NPPO of Italy recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the eradication of Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii (EPPO A2 List) on its territory. In Italy, the bacterial wilt of maize caused by Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii had been found in several regions but was subsequently eradicated (EPPO RS 2020/130). The pathogen was found again in 2020 and 2021 during official surveys of maize (Zea mays) grown for seed in Emilia-Romagna region. Eradication measures were applied in the field (RS 2021/201). Investigations were also conducted to verify that parental lines used for hybrid production were not infected, and inspections were carried out in fields with the same parental lines as well as in other maize seed crops in the region. All samples tested negative. In 16 sites a survey was conducted to investigate the presence of vectors. Chaetocnema pulicaria, the insect vector in USA, was not detected. 2 specimens of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera were found and tested negative for P. stewartii subsp. stewartii.
The pest status of Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii in Italy is officially declared as: Absent, pest eradicated.
Sources
NPPO of Italy (2022-03).