Update on the situation of Ceratocystis fimbriata f. sp. platani in France
The EPPO Secretariat has recently been informed by Dr Vigouroux from INRA (Montpellier, FR) of the situation of Ceratocystis fimbriata f. sp. platani (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) in France, in reaction to a paper published in the EPPO Bulletin (Anselmi et al., 1994). Only the west part of Vaucluse (south of France) is severely affected by stain canker. The incidence of the disease was also high in the region of Marseille, but very strict eradication measures have been implemented. Other scattered foci have been reported in the following departements: Var, Alpes Maritimes, Hérault, Gard, Rhone, Ain and also in Corsica. Concerning modes of transmission, in addition to pruning and root grafts, the pathogen can be transmitted by waterways bordering diseased planes and by earthwork equipment. Dr Vigouroux also stressed that some resistance sources have been found in USA in Platanus occidentalis. These lines are now being crossed in France with several lines of P. orientalis in order to obtain hybrids tolerant to the disease and adapted to the environmental conditions prevailing in Europe.
Sources
EPPO Secretariat, 1994-09.
Anselmi, N.; Cardin, L., Nicolotti, G. (1994) Plane decline in European and Mediterranean countries: associated pests and their interactions.
Bulletin OEPP/EPPO Bulletin 24 (1), 159-171.