First report of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ in El Salvador
In April 2012, symptoms resembling those caused by ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ (EPPO A1 List, Solanaceae haplotypes) were observed on tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) grown near the town of Yuroconte (municipality of La Palma, Chalatenango department), El Salvador. Symptoms included plant chlorosis, severe stunting, leaf cupping, excessive branching of axillary shoots, as well as leaf purpling and scorching. In several fields of the infected area, the disease incidence ranged from 40 to 60%. Tomato fields were also heavily infested by Bactericera cockerelli (Hemiptera: Triozidae – EPPO A1 List). The molecular analysis of plant and psyllid samples confirmed the presence of ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’. This is the first documented report of this bacterium in El Salvador.
The situation of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ in El Salvador can be described as follows: Present, first found in 2012 on tomatoes in the Chalatenango department.
Sources
Bextine B, Aguilar E, Sengoda VG, McCue KF, Munyaneza JE (2013) First report of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ on tomato in El Salvador. Plant Disease 97(9), p 1244.