Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis reported from the EC (Italy)
Bayoud disease of date palms, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. albedinis (EPPO A2 quarantine pest), has been reported to occur in southern Italy on Phoenix canariensis. According to Italian scientists from the University of Bari, the fungus was isolated from wilted P. canariensis and identified according to its morphological characteristics. Inoculation experiments with the fungus on P. dactylifera have not been carried out.
The EPPO Secretariat believes that further experiments are absolutely necessary to confirm this report from Italy. Vascular wilting of P. canariensis on the Canary Islands has been regarded to be caused by a different forma specialis of F. oxysporum than the causal agent of the Bayoud disease of date palms. Cross infection studies with the Italian isolates should clear the question if the vascular wilt of the Italian ornamental palms can be attributed to F. oxysporum f.sp. albedinis or to a different forma specialis.
Sources
Luisi, N.; Manicone, R.P. (1993) L'avvizzimento della palma ornamentale in Italia meridionale.
Presentation at the "Premier Colloque Italo-Français De Phytopathologie sur: Maladies nouvelles ou d'introduction récente en France, en Italie et dans le bassin méditerranéen", Alghero, IT, 1993-04-14/18.