First confirmed report of Potato spindle tuber viroid in Poland
The NPPO of Poland recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first confirmed report of Potato spindle tuber viroid (Pospiviroid, PSTVd – EPPO A2 List) on its territory. In the past, there had been some reports but they were either doubtful or linked to interceptions, and all surveys had confirmed the absence of the viroid. In 2016, PSTVd was detected in 2 lots of seed potatoes (Solanum tuberosum cvs. ‘Etola’ and ‘Denar’). The first case was detected in Melanowo (district of Kamień Krajeński, Kujawsko-pomorskie voivodeship), and the surface of the infected area was estimated at 2.8 ha. The second case was found in Turzyn (district of Nakło, Kujawsko-pomorskie voivodeship), with an estimated infected area of 5 ha. In both cases, the identity of the viroid was confirmed by molecular methods (RT-PCRs using different types of primers, sequencing). Official phytosanitary measures have been implemented in delimited areas corresponding to the whole surface of the 2 places of production (22 ha in the first case and 10.56 ha in the second one). All infected and possibly infected potatoes will be used for industrial purposes (distillery). On infected fields, plantation of potatoes or any other host plants of PSTVd will be prohibited until the end of 2017; volunteer potato plants and other naturally occurring host plants of PSTVd will be eliminated. In 2018, only the cultivation of ware or industrial potatoes will be allowed, and potato harvest will be subject to official sampling and testing. On the infected production sites, all equipment and stores will be disinfected, and surveys will continue.
The pest status of Potato spindle tuber viroid in Poland is officially declared as: Present, at low prevalence.
Sources
NPPO of Poland (2016-07).