Situation of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae in France
In France, the presence of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (EPPO Alert List) was detected for the first time in July 2010 in samples of Actinidia deliciosa cv. ‘Summer’ (green kiwifruit) which had been collected from Rhône-Alpes region (EPPO RS 2010/188). A monitoring programme was implemented in 2011 on 2;066 ha of kiwifruit (the total cultivated area in France is 4;300 ha) under the supervision of both the phytosanitary authorities and the growers. As a result, the bacterium was found in the following six regions: Aquitaine, Corse, Midi-Pyrénées, Pays de Loire, Poitou-Charentes, and Rhône-Alpes. P. syringae pv. actinidiae was mainly detected in green kiwifruit cultivars (A. deliciosa), and more particularly in the early cultivar ‘Summer’. The green kiwifruits (A. deliciosa) represented 69.8% of the positive results, yellow kiwifruits (A. chinensis) and other species (e.g. A. arguta) represented 29.4% and less than 1%, respectively.
At present, control measures are not compulsory but highly recommended by the French NPPO. Until now, 38.8 ha of Actinidia spp. plants (60% yellow kiwifruits) have been drastically pruned (removal of diseased parts without uprooting) and several orchards (9 ha) are being completely uprooted. Monitoring activities will continue in 2012. Research programmes associating different partners (ANSES, INRA, Research Institutes in Italy and New Zealand) are being initiated to better understand the epidemiology of the disease and develop appropriate curative and preventive control methods. The French NPPO is also reflecting on possible compulsory measures which could be taken against this disease.
The pest status of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae in France is officially declared as: Present, only in some areas, but managed.
Sources
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NPPO of France (2011-01).
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