First report of Phytophthora ramorum in Serbia
In June 2008, symptoms resembling those of Phytophthora ramorum (EPPO Alert List) were observed on 12 plants of Rhododendron in a public garden near Zemun, in Serbia. Affected plants showed leaf necrosis and blight. P. ramorum could be isolated and identified in symptomatic leaves and petioles (morphology, PCR, pathogenicity tests). The mating type was determined as A1. This is the first report of P. ramorum on Rhododendron plants in Serbia. All infected plants were destroyed and measures were taken to eradicate the pathogen according to EU legislation (Commission Decision 2007/201/EC). The authors concluded that the discovery of infected Rhododendron plants should prompt more detailed surveys, thorough inspections and subsequent testing in other areas of Serbia.
The situation of Phytophthora ramorum in Serbia can be described as follows: Present, first detected in 2008 on Rhododendron plants in a public garden near Zemun, under official control.
Sources
Bulajić A, Jović J, Krnjajić S, Djekić I, Krstić B (2008) First report of Phytophthora ramorum on Rhododendron sp. in Serbia. New Disease Reports vol. 18 (August 2008 to January 2009) http://www.bspp.org.uk/publications/new-disease-reports/ndr.php?id=018031
Commission Decision 2007/201/EC of 27 March 2007 amending Decision 2002/757/EC on provisional emergency phytosanitary measures to prevent the introduction into and the spread within the Community of Phytophthora ramorum Werres, De Cock ; Man in ‘t Veld sp.nov. http://www.eppo.org/ABOUT_EPPO/EPPO_MEMBERS/phytoreg/eu_texts/2007-201-EC-e.pdf