Situation of Ralstonia solanacearum in Spain
The Plant Protection Service of Spain has informed the EPPO Secretariat that during the 1996 potato campaign, several cases of Ralstonia solanacearum (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) were found in Castilla-Léon, Spain. Four cases were found on seed potatoes produced by two growers and four cases were also discovered on ware potatoes produced in small farms. The Plant Protection Service stressed that all these positive results were found on potatoes in stores, and that no positive result was obtained on growing plants in the field. However, quarantine measures (prohibition to grow solanaceous plants, regular surveys) have been taken in the fields where these potatoes were previously grown. In addition, studies have been done on irrigation water and on weed hosts of the bacterium, and so far the results obtained are negative. Concerning the Spanish potato production in 1996, 1013 tests have been carried out on seed potatoes and 138 on ware potatoes. 592 tests, as well as numerous visual inspections, were also done on seed potatoes imported from other EU countries. This is the first time that R. solanacearum is reported from mainland Spain.
Sources
Plant Protection Service of Spain, 1997-07.