First detection of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ on strawberry in the United Kingdom
In May 2014, strawberry plants (Fragaria ananassa cv. ‘Amesti’) growing in Norfolk (United Kingdom) were observed showing stunting, yellowing and poor establishment. The young plants had been imported from Spain in March 2014, and were cultivated over 1.35 hectares on a table-top system under polytunnels. In this crop, approximately 1% of the plants showed symptoms. Leaf samples were randomly collected from 13 plants and tested for the presence of phytoplasmas (PCR tests, sequencing). As a result, ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ (EPPO A2 List) was detected in the tested samples. This is the first time that ‘Ca. P. solani’ is detected in the United Kingdom. As a consequence, all infected plants were destroyed, and containment and eradication measures were put into place. Additional surveys to identify the presence of potential vectors, as well as a surveillance programme will be undertaken.
The situation of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ on strawberry in the United Kingdom can be described as follows: Transient, first found in 2014 in a strawberry crop, under eradication.
Sources
Hodgetts J, Flint LJ, Daly M, Harju VA, Skelton AL, Fox A (2015) Identification of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma solani' (16Sr XII-A) infecting strawberry plants in the United Kingdom. New Disease Reports 31, 5.[http://dx.doi.org/10.5197/j.2044-0588.2015.031.005