First report of Grapevine flavescence dorée phytoplasma in Germany
The NPPO of Germany recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first record of Grapevine flavescence dorée phytoplasma (EPPO A2 List) on its territory. On 2014-10-01, the pathogen was detected in grapevine (Vitis vinifera cv. ‘Chardonnay/SO4’) in an officially registered nursery for the production of grapevine plants, located in Rheinland-Pfalz (Rhineland-Palatinate). Diseased grapevine plants showed typical symptoms of flavescence dorée. This finding was made during a monitoring programme carried out in accordance with the EU Decision 2014/497/EU* concerning Xylella fastidiosa. The phytoplasma was identified by the laboratory of the Julius Kühn-Institute using different PCR methods, and sequencing was done by INRA in France. The lot concerned included 4400 grafted plants; scion and rootstock originated from Germany and an Italian nursery, respectively. The vector of the disease, Scaphoideus titanus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), is not known to occur in Germany. Investigations have been initiated to trace back the possible origin of this infection. Phytosanitary measures have been taken to eradicate the disease. The movement of plants that are grafted on rootstocks from the same origin has been forbidden. Survey activities are on-going and additional measures are planned.
The pest status of Grapevine flavescence dorée phytoplasma in Germany is officially declared as: Transient, only at one location in Rhineland-Palatinate, under eradication.
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* Note: EU measures have been triggered by the recent finding of Xylella fastidiosa in Italy (see EPPO RS 2013/184) to prevent its further spread within the EU, this bacterium does not occur in Germany.
Sources
NPPO of Germany (2014-11).
Commission Implementing Decision (2014/497/EU) of 23 July 2014 as regards measures to prevent the introduction into and the spread within the Union of Xylella fastidiosa (Well and Raju). http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX