Ralstonia solanacearum detected on Pelargonium in Germany
The NPPO of Germany recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the detection of Ralstonia solanacearum (EPPO A2 List) on Pelargonium plants in Rheinland-Pfalz. In March 2012, 15 potted plants of Pelargonium zonale cvs ‘Trend Red’ and ‘Salmon’ produced for final consumers were found to be infested by R. solanacearum in one nursery. The infested plants showed wilting symptoms. The pathogen was isolated from these plants and identified by the official laboratory of the regional plant protection service. The tests performed included selective plating on SMSA, IF, PCR, and pathogenicity tests in tomato plants. The determination of the race and pathovar was done by JKI (Institute for National and International Plant Health) and the isolated culture was identified as R.;solanacearum race 3 pathovar 2. The diseased plants belonged to a lot of 500 plants. Young plants had been delivered from another nursery which had originally bought cuttings from a supplier in a third country. Tracing back investigations are ongoing but until now the source of this infestation remains unknown. The entire lot concerned has been destroyed and sanitary measures taken in the nursery.
The pest status of Ralstonia solanacearum in Germany is officially declared as: Present, few occurrences, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Germany (2012-06).