First report of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma mali’ in Finland
In Finland, ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma mali’ (associated with apple proliferation – EPPO A2 List) was first detected in psyllid specimens (Cacopsylla picta) which had been collected in 2009-2010 from 2 localities. However, in these localities no symptoms of apple proliferation were observed at that time. In August 2012, a specific survey for apple proliferation was conducted in 17 apple orchards. The presence of ‘Ca. Phytoplasma mali’ was detected in 2 samples which had been collected from 2 apple orchards, one located on the mainland and the other on the Island of Åland. The survey will continue in 2013 to delimit the extent of the infestation both on the mainland and the Island of Åland.
The situation of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma mali’ in Finland can be described as follows: Present, first confirmed in 2012 in two apple orchards (mainland and Island of Åland), under official control.
Sources
INTERNET
Evira. Finnish Food Safety Authority (2013-01-17) New plant pests in horticultural production came as a surprise in 2012. http://www.evira.fi/portal/en/plants/current+issues/?bid=3290
Lemmetty A, Mirkka Soukainen M, Tuovinen T (2013) First report of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma mali’, the causal agent of apple proliferation disease, in apple trees in Finland. Plant Disease (in press) http://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/abs/10.1094/PDIS-04-13-0397-PDN
Lemmetty A, Tuovinen T, Kemppainen R (2011) ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma mali’ infected Cacopsylla picta found in apple orchards in South-Western Finland. Bulletin of Insectology 64 (Suppl.), S257-S258.