Update on the situation of Meloidogyne chitwoodi and Meloidogyne fallax in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, Meloidogyne chitwoodi (EPPO A2 List) and Meloidogyne fallax (EPPO A2 List) were first recorded in the 1990s (EPPO RS 1997/01). A systematic surveillance programme has been carried out since 1999. The NPPO of the Netherlands recently published an update of the situation of these two nematodes based on official surveys conducted in 2023 in both demarcated areas and pest free areas.
In 2023, M. fallax was found for the first time in the natural environment in the central part of the Netherlands, on a sample of five plants of Cyperaceae. The two species were also detected in seed potatoes, ware potatoes, and starch potatoes. For seed potatoes, 913 lots were sampled and tested in all demarcated areas, of which 56 tested positive (128.6 ha). Outside the demarcated areas 1125 samples were taken, of which 22 samples tested positive (156.7 ha). In total 2038 samples were taken for seed potatoes (which correspond to 4086 ha). New demarcated areas were defined accordingly. Official phytosanitary measures aiming at containing these nematodes are applied. They include the demarcation of an area of 1 km around the infested fields, the sampling and testing of all seed potatoes grown in demarcated areas, the destruction of infested seed potatoes (or use as ware potatoes or processing under official control), and the prohibition to market any plants for planting that tested positive for these nematodes.
The pest status of Meloidogyne chitwoodi in the Netherlands is officially declared as: Present, only in some parts of the Member State.
The pest status of Meloidogyne fallax in the Netherlands is officially declared as: Present, only in some parts of the Member State.
Sources
NPPO of the Netherlands (2024-04) Update: new findings of Meloidogyne chitwoodi and M. fallax in 2023. First finding of Meloidogyne fallax on plants of Cyperaceae in natural environment. https://english.nvwa.nl/topics/pest-reporting/pest-reports (including a map of demarcated and infested areas)