Ralstonia solanacearum detected in Rosa in Belgium
The NPPO of Belgium recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first confirmed report of Ralstonia solanacearum (EPPO A2 List) on Rosa on its territory. A sample containing symptomatic Rosa plants was sent by a grower to the Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO). After a positive isolation test, the NPPO was alerted in October 2015 and an inspection of the greenhouse took place on 2015-10-13. All Rosa cultivars present in this greenhouse (about 8000 Rosa plants for cut flower production) were inspected and sampled. The symptomatic red rose cultivar 'Lucky Red' was confirmed to be infected and the pathogen was identified as R. solanacearum biovar 3 / phylotype I, a variant which is different from the causal agent of potato brown rot. Samples were also taken from other rose cultivars and from 3 other companies, but all tested samples gave negative results. Investigations were carried and showed that the origin of this outbreak was the supplier of the plants which was located in the Netherlands. Eradication measures were taken (destruction of the affected plants and implementation of hygiene measures) and the NPPO now considers that these have been successful to eradicate the bacterium.
The pest status of Ralstonia solanacearum biovar 3/phylotype I in Belgium is officially declared as: Absent: pest eradicated.
Sources
NPPO of Belgium (2015-12).