Ralstonia solanacearum detected in the Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic, the presence of Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2 (EPPO A2 List) was detected during the annual official survey for brown rot in one commercial field of ware potatoes located at Sadská (district of Nymburk, Central Bohemian region). On 2012-08-13, the bacterium was detected in one potato sample (Solanum tuberosum cv. ‘Cupido’) which had been collected from this ware potato field (total area of 29.9 ha of which 10 ha were cultivated with cv. ‘Cupido’). The infected ware potato crop had been grown from seed potatoes originating from the Netherlands and irrigated with surface water. Tracing-back studies are still on-going to determine the possible origins of this infection. A delimiting survey has been carried but no other positive potato sample could be detected. The NPPO is currently testing samples of water and weeds collected from the irrigation pumping station and its vicinity. Phytosanitary measures are being taken to prevent any further spread of the disease and eradicate R. solanacearum.
The pest status of Ralstonia solanacearum in the Czech Republic is officially declared as: Transient, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of the Czech Republic (2012-08).