First report of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae in Switzerland
The NPPO of Switzerland recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first record of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (EPPO Alert List) on its territory. In June 2011, the presence of the bacterium was detected in a small commercial orchard of kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis cv. ‘Hayward Chico’) in Meynier, Canton of Geneva. This orchard had been planted in spring 2011 with material imported from Italy. As several plants died a few weeks after foliation, the presence of bacterial canker was suspected. Samples were collected by the grower and sent for laboratory analysis (to ANSES in France). Although P. syringae pv. actinidiae is not regulated in Switzerland, all plants belonging to this infected lot were immediately destroyed by the fruit grower.
The pest status of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae in Switzerland is officially declared as: Transient, actionable under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Switzerland (2011-08).