'Candidatus Phytoplasma phoenicium' is no longer present in Italy
In Italy, ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma phoenicium’ (EPPO A1 List) was first detected in 2017 in a commercial orchard of almond (Prunus dulcis) near Grottaglie (province of Taranto, Puglia region, South-East Italy) (EPPO RS 2020/076). The plants that tested positive were uprooted. An update of the situation of this pest was presented to the EPPO Panel on Phytosanitary Measures in March 2024.
In March 2020, the University of Bari reported to the Osservatorio fitosanitario the presence of symptomatic almond trees, in another location near Grottaglie, along with the discovery of gene sequences of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma phoenicium’ on other Prunus species [peach (P. persica), apricot (P. armeniaca) and plum (P. domestica)] and on quince (Cydonia oblonga). Samples of leaves and green cortical tissue, taken both from the previously known field located in the countryside of Grottaglie and from other fields located in Francavilla Fontana (province of Brindisi, Puglia region) were tested. The plants showed symptoms similar to those described for almond trees, and the plants that tested positive were all voluntarily uprooted.
In 2021, phytosanitary inspectors took samples in Prunus plants adjacent to the outbreak areas in Puglia and none tested positive. The survey activities carried on in 2022 and 2023 and the pest was also included in the National Survey Plan which included sampling and testing in orchards and nurseries in other parts of Italy. In Puglia in 2022 and 2023, 60 and 63 sites were surveyed respectively, and no samples tested positive.
The situation of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma phoenicium’ in Italy can be described as: Absent, pest no longer found.
Sources
Personal communication of Dr Boscia to the EPPO Panel on Phytosanitary Measures (2024-03).
Regione Puglia (2022) Candidatus Phytoplasma phoenicium in Puglia. Report intermedio. 7 pp