First report of Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum in Italy
During the official annual monitoring on tomato crops (Solanum lycopersicum) in Emilia-Romagna region in 2020, Ralstonia solanacearum species complex (EPPO A2 List) was detected in three fields of different tomato cultivars in the province of Parma (municipality of Parma and of Collecchio). Phytosanitary measures were taken, and the tomato crops were sprayed with a chemical desiccant herbicide. A demarcated area has been officially established and surveys have been carried out in 2021 and 2022.
In July 2021, 3 additional tomato production sites had positive test results. In August 2021, suspect symptoms were found in 2 additional tomato production sites. The collected samples tested positive in IF, PCR and pathogenicity tests. Following confirmation, all the tomato crops were either desiccated using a herbicide or destroyed mechanically. In each infested field only a few symptomatic plants (wilting, browning) were found in patches.
In July 2022, suspect symptoms were observed in 2 other tomato production sites and tested for R. solanacearum species complex, analysed by lateral flow tests, culturing on SMSA, PCR and real-time-PCR. Immediately, tomato plants in areas where a positive result was found plus a buffer zone of 113 m2 around the finding, were desiccated using a herbicide. The confirmation analysis according to EU Regulation 2022/1193 identified the species as Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum. The demarcated area has been extended accordingly. Phytosanitary measures according to EU Regulation 2022/1193 will be applied and include the destruction of the crop, crop rotation in the next 5 years, and the disinfection of tools and equipment used in the infested fields.
The pest status of Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum in Italy is officially declared as: Transient, actionable, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Italy (2022-08).
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1193 of 11 July 2022 establishing measures to eradicate and prevent the spread of Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith 1896) Yabuuchi et al. 1996 emend. Safni et al. 2014. OJL 185 12.07.2022, 27-46, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2022/1193/oj