First report of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae in Greece
The presence of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (EPPO A2 List) is reported for the first time in Greece. In mid-March 2014, a sample of shoots (canes and leaders) of Actinidia deliciosa cv. ‘Summer kiwi’, showing red-rusty cankers and brown discoloration of the vascular tissues underneath the bark, was sent by a grower for examination to the Benaki Phytopathological Institute. This sample originated from a kiwifruit orchard (1;ha planted with 5-year-old plants) located in the area of Drosero (Pella prefecture, Northern Greece). It was also noted that, in this orchard, almost all plants exhibited symptoms. Laboratory and pathogenicity tests confirmed the presence of the bacterium in the studied sample. A nationwide survey is underway to determine the extent of the affected area.
The situation of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae in Greece can be described as follows: Present, first found in 2014 in one sample collected from Northern Greece.
Sources
Holeva MC, Glynos PE, Karafla CD (2015) First report of bacterial canker of kiwifruit caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae in Greece. Plant Disease 99(5), p 723.