Surveys for potato quarantine pests in Norway
In Norway, surveys are conducted to determine the status of the presence of the potato diseases Clavibacter sepedonicus, Ralstonia solanacearum and Synchytrium endobioticum and the root knot nematodes Meloidogyne chitwoodi and M. fallax in potato (Solanum tuberosum) production. Reports from surveys carried out in 2021 are as follows.
In Norway the last finding of potato wart disease caused by Synchytrium endobioticum (EPPO A2 List) was in 1994 and quarantine measures were then applied for 20 years. In 2021, a total of 360 potato tubers were visually assessed and no symptoms were observed. Out of the 360 samples, 52 were randomly selected to be tested by PCR, and all tested negative.
The situation of Synchytrium endobioticum in Norway can be described as: Absent, pest no longer present.
Potato ring rot caused by Clavibacter sepedonicus (EPPO A2 List) was first detected in 1964, and a national legislation exists since 1965. In 1999 an eradication program was initiated (EPPO RS 2013/119) and resulted in a decrease in the incidence of the disease. In the period 1999-2008 (10 691 samples), 3% of samples were positive, in 2011-2015 (1 929 samples), 1.3% were positive. In 2021, 360 samples were tested and C. sepedonicus was not detected.
The situation of Clavibacter sepedonicus in Norway can be described as: Present, not widely distributed and under official control.
Potato brown rot caused by Ralstonia solanacearum (EPPO A2 List) has never been detected in Norway. In 2016, a survey programme was carried out on imported potatoes, 160 samples from 12 countries were tested and R. solanacearum was not detected. Since 2019, all samples collected in Norway to be tested for C. sepedonicus are also tested for R. solanacearum. In 2021, 360 samples were tested and R. solanacearum was not detected.
The situation of Ralstonia solanacearum in Norway can be described as: Absent, pest not recorded.
The root knot nematodes Meloidogyne chitwoodi and M. fallax have never been found in Norway. In 2019, 2020 and 2021, the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO) analyzed more than 1 000 samples of ware and starch potatoes to detect M. chitwoodi and M. fallax, including 360 in 2021. In 2019, 70 samples of certified seed potatoes were also tested. No nematode pests were detected in the samples analyzed.
The situation of Meloidogyne fallax and Meloidogyne chitwoodi in Norway can be described as: Absent, pest not recorded.
Sources
Eikemo H (2022) Rapport –OK-program potetkreft 2021. NIBIO Rapport 8(45), 19 pp. Available at https://www.mattilsynet.no/planter_og_dyrking/planteskadegjorere/soppsjukdommer/rapport_potetkreft_2022.46798/binary/Rapport:%20Potetkreft%202022
Perminow J, Akselsen IL, Brurberg MB, Wiig Hansen V (2022) OK potet-Bakterier Overvåking og kartlegging av lys og mørk ringråte i norsk produksjon av mat-og industripotet. Sesong 2021. NIBIO Rapport 8(42), 15 pp. Available at
Skuterud Vennatrø M (2022) Meloidogyne chitwoodi og M. fallax – Rapport for overvåkningsprogrammet Skadegjørere i potet 2021. NIBIO Rapport 8(37), 12 pp. Available at https://www.mattilsynet.no/planter_og_dyrking/planteskadegjorere/soppsjukdommer/rapport_skadegjorere_i_potet_2021.46800/binary/Rapport:%20Skadegj%C3%B8rere%20i%20potet%202021