Outbreak of Ralstonia solanacearum in Pelargonium in Germany
Between August 2000 and April 2001, Ralstonia solanacearum (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) was found in Pelargonium zonale at 3 places in Germany. In Baden-Württemberg, infected plants were found in a display collection at a horticultural school. In response to this finding, a systematic survey was initiated in Germany at the beginning of 2001. In Niedersachsen and Hessen, infected plants were found in 2 companies (1 contaminated lot in each) which produce pot plants for final consumers. The pathogen was identified as Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2. The disease could not be detected in plants at the companies that had supplied the young plants. As these young plants had been produced from unrooted cuttings imported from Kenya, it is suspected that the disease was introduced with latently infected cuttings. Measures were taken at all affected places, and further tests have indicated that infection is no longer present in all places concerned. The EPPO Secretariat has also been informed that R. solanacearum (which is widespread in Kenya) has been found there in pelargonium nurseries, probably introduced with irrigation water. Infection is more or less symptomless.
Sources
NPPO of Germany, 2001-07.