New bacterial disease of strawberry in the EC (ES, FR)
It has been reported at the first Franco - Italian Phytopathological Colloqium in Alghero, IT, that a new disease of strawberry has been observed in France and Spain since 1988 and 1984, respectively. The disease is caused by a bacterium like organism (BLO) and causes marginal chlorosis. Strawberry plants become stunted, produce less fruit and the fruits may be deformed and not commercially usable. Also an apical necrosis of the roots and stolons have been associated with this disease. From its symptoms it can be confused with frost and herbicide damage as well as with powdery mildew infection. In France, all production areas are affected and tests showed that all strawberry cultivars are, to different degrees, susceptible. Observations showed that the disease is more severe in the vicinity of lakes and rivers.
The authors believed that North Africa and southern Europe are very endangered by this pest.
Sources
Nourrisseau, J.G.; Lansac, M.; Garnier, M. (1993) La chlorose marginal du frasier (Fragaria anamassa Duch) association d'un B.L.O. a cette nouvelle maladie.
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.