First record of Diaporthe vacinii in Germany
The NPPO of Germany recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first record of Diaporthe vaccinii (anamorph Phomopsis vaccinii – EPPO A1 List) on its territory. The fungus was detected on 2009-08-11 in a crop of Vaccinium corymbosum cv. ‘Duke’ in Niedersachsen. Affected plants showed necrosis on shoots, leaves and flowers. Although D. vaccinii was detected in August 2009, it is considered that it was presumably present in the crop concerned since May 2009. Eradication measures have been taken (radical pruning back, treatment, intensive monitoring). These infected V. corymbosum plants had originally been bought from another grower in Niedersachsen, but despite intensive examinations D. vaccinii could not be detected in this enterprise.
The pest status of Diaporthe vacinii in Germany is officially declared as: Transient, actionable, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Germany, 2009-12.