Incursion of Phytophthora hibernalis in Germany
The German NPPO recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first incursion of Phytophthora hibernalis into Germany. In April 2007, disease symptoms were observed in Hessen on roses (Rosa x hybrida cvs. ‘Broceliande’ and ‘Chevy Chase’) and in October 2007 the causal agent was identified as Phytophthora hibernalis (morphology, molecular tests). There is evidence that the disease was introduced from another EU Member State in autumn 2006. All infected plants were destroyed. Although it may be assumed that the infection has been eradicated, the company concerned remains under observation.
The pest status of Phytophthora hibernalis in Germany is officially declared as follows: Absent, under observation.
EPPO note: P. hibernalis has primarily been described as causing brown rot of citrus fruits, but it has also been found on other plants (e.g. Rhododendron) causing leaf and twig blight. Its currently known geographical distribution is as follows:
EPPO region: France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Turkey.
Africa: South Africa.
North America: USA (California, Oregon).
South America: Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela.
Oceania: Australia, Fiji, New Zealand.
Sources
NPPO of Germany, 2008-02.
CABI (1976) Distribution Maps of Plant Diseases no. 47 (edition 3) Phytophthora hibernalis. CABI, Wallingford, GB.
INTERNET (last retrieved 2008-02)
Farr DF, Rossman AY, Palm ME, McCray EB. Fungal Databases, Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory, ARS, USDA. http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/