First report of Plasmopara halstedii in the United Kingdom
The NPPO of the United Kingdom informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first report of Plasmopara halstedii (EU Annexes) on its territory. In October 2010, an outbreak was detected in a 5 ha field of Helianthus annuus cv. ‘Galilee Adami’ in Spalding, Lincolnshire. This infested sunflower crop had been grown from imported seeds whose origin could not be fully traced back. The infested plot was destroyed by ploughing in and planting of sunflowers has been prohibited for 10 years due to the long term survival of the pathogen in the soil. Investigations are continuing to trace back the origin of the imported seeds and determine if other crops have been grown from the same seed stock.
The pest status of Plasmopara halstedii in the United Kingdom is officially declared as: Transient: actionable, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of the United Kingdom (2010-10).