First reports of apple proliferation, pear decline and European stone fruit yellows phytoplasmas in Bosnia and Herzegovina
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, from August to October 2003, symptoms of pear decline (premature leaf reddening, upward leaf rolling) were observed in abandoned orchards near Gradiška, Republica Srpska. In several cases premature defoliation was also observed. Symptoms have been observed in this area since the last 15 years. Molecular tests confirmed the presence of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri’ (EPPO A2 list). According to the authors (Duduk et al., 2005) this is the first report of ‘Ca. P. pyri’ in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In autumn 2004, further studies were done in 7 districts in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the presence of fruit tree phytoplasmas, as symptoms of apple proliferation (EPPO A2 list), pear decline and European stone fruit yellows (ESFY – EU Annexes) had been observed. Samples were collected from several orchards and later, in spring 2005, insect vectors (Cacopsylla costalis and C. melanoneura for apple proliferation, C. pyri for pear decline and C. pruni for ESFY) were collected and tested for the presence of their respective phytoplasmas. Molecular tests confirmed the presence of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma mali’ in apples and in both vectors (C. costalis and C. melanoneura); of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri’ in pears and in C. pyri; of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma prunorum’ in apricots and peaches and in C. pruni. According to the authors (Delic et al., 2005) these are the first reports of ‘Ca. P. mali’ and ‘Ca. P. prunorum’ and their vectors in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is concluded that the presence of these phytoplasmas in crops and insect vectors represents a serious threat for fruit production in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The situation of these three phytoplasmas in Bosnia and Herzegovina can be described as follows: Present, occurrence was confirmed in 2005.
Sources
Delic D, Martini M, Ermacora P, Carraro L, Myrta A (2005) First report of fruit tree phytoplasma and their psyllid vectors in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Journal of Plant Pathology 87(2), p 150.
Duduk B, Botti S, Trkulja V, Ivanović M, Stojčić J, Bertaccini A (2005) Occurrence of pear decline phytoplasmas in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Journal of Plant Pathology 87(1), p 75.