Update on the situation of Ralstonia solanacearum in the UK
The EPPO Secretariat has been informed that a sample of ware potatoes from the 1995 harvest was found contaminated by Ralstonia (Pseudomonas) solanacearum (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) in United Kingdom. This sample was taken from a farm store situated near Slough (within the Thames basin), in the same area where the previous outbreak had been found (EPPO RS 93/031). Investigations were carried out on seed from the same origin, as well as on sister stocks to the contaminated potatoes, and gave negative results. However, the bacterium was isolated from Solanum dulcamara growing in the water system from which the infected potatoes were irrigated. These weeds appear as the most likely source of infection. The following measures have been applied: potato growing is prohibited on the infected field, no seed potatoes are grown on the farm and monitoring of potato crops in other fields is performed.
Sources
Plant Protection Service of United Kingdom, 1996-11.