Absence of Phytophthora fragariae var. fragariae in Czech Republic
In Czech Republic, surveys have been carried out in strawberry crops for the presence of Phytophthora fragariae var. fragariae (Oomycetes, Peronosporales – EPPO A2 quarantine pest) since 1997. A visual inspection was done at least once a year in strawberry nurseries. Priority was given to crops of foreign origin and crops intended for basic multiplication. During visual inspection, all suspicious plants were collected and sent to a reference laboratory where they were tested by immunochemical assays (PTA-ELISA or immunoblot). In difficult cases, further microbiological, biological or molecular tests were done. During this survey, Phytophthora fragariae var. fragariae has never been found. The Czech NPPO considers that previous records of the disease cannot be considered reliable and were most probably misidentifications of the pathogen.
The situation of Phytophthora fragariae var. fragariae in Czech Republic can be described as follows: Absent: earlier records were based on erroneous identification, confirmed by survey.
Sources
NPPO of CZ, 2001-09.