Outbreak of Erwinia amylovora in Lebanon
Fireblight (Erwinia amylovora – EPPO A2 quarantine pest) was first reported in Lebanon in the north-eastern part in 1988 (see EPPO RS 498/12, 1988). However, the first serious outbreak was only reported this year. A current survey has shown that the disease is present throughout the growing regions of pome fruits in Lebanon. The disease is found on the following host plants: cultivated and wild pears (Pyrus communis, P. syriaca, P. bovei), several apple cultivars with varying degrees of severity, and quince (Cydonia oblonga, a highly susceptible host). Further details on this new outbreak of fireblight in Lebanon will be presented at the 8th International Workshop on Fire Blight (Kusadasi, TR, 1998-10-12/15).
Sources
Personnal communication from Prof. Saad, A.T. American University of Beirut, Lebanon.