Isolated finding of Potato spindle tuber viroid on Solanum jasminoides in the Netherlands
The NPPO of the Netherlands informed the EPPO Secretariat of an isolated finding of Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd - EPPO A2 list) during routine surveillance of ornamental Solanaceae. In May 2006, one lot of ornamental pot plants of Solanum jasminoides (Solanaceae) at a company specialized in the production of rooted plantlets was tested and found positive for PSTVd (PCR tests and genome sequencing). Investigations revealed that the infested lot had been imported from outside the European Union, although EU regulations prohibit the import of solaneacous plants for planting from third countries other than European and Mediterranean countries (EU Directive 2000/29, Annex III A 13). Measures have been taken to prevent reoccurrence of the import of S. jasminoides from prohibited origins. Further investigations were carried out in other companies, but no further infection of PSTVd on Solanaceae plants could be detected.
The pest status of Potato spindle tuber viroid in the Netherlands is officially declared as follows: Absent, intercepted only.
Sources
NPPO of the Netherlands, 2006-07.