Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus found in Cyprus
In April 2000, United Kingdom intercepted two consignments of ware potatoes (cv. Superstar) infected by Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) from Cyprus (see EPPO RS 2001/154). The NPPO of Cyprus immediately initiated investigations to trace the origin of the infection. Potato fields cultivated with early growing cultivars were investigated. Results showed that certain samples of potato cv. Velox were initially positive to IF tests. Further investigations showed that cv. Velox cultivated in a small number of farms was infected by ring rot. It appeared also that a few farmers had confused the two cultivars (Superstar and Velox). They delivered their crops as mixed cultivars to the packing house and their consignments were packed as cv. Superstar. All seed potatoes of cv. Velox had been imported from Germany in 2 lots (50 t each) in October and December 2000 respectively, and originated from the same German grower. Both lots were inspected at the point of entry into Cyprus (visual test) and tested (IF) for brown rot and ring rot. Results were negative.
In addition, a total of 95 samples of different cultivars (other than Velox) destined for export were tested (according to EU Directive 93/85/EEC) up to 2001-06-11, and were found negative. The NPPO of Cyprus concluded that the origin of the infection can be related to the import of seed potatoes cv. Velox latently infected at the time of import. Strict eradication measures are being applied in Cyprus (according to EU Directive 93/85/EEC).
The situation of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus in Cyprus can be described as follows: Present, found in a limited number of farms following import of infected seed potatoes, under eradication.
Sources
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NPPO of Cyprus, 2001-06.
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