First report of Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. oortii on Petunia in Poland and subsequent eradication
The NPPO of Poland recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first report of Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. oortii on its territory. This bacterium was detected in July 2016 on Petunia plants showing stem cankers in a greenhouse located in Radziechowy (Śląskie voivodeship, Southern Poland). Laboratory analysis (fatty acid profiles) confirmed the identity of the bacterium. The source of this outbreak could not be identified, the infected Petunia plants had been bought on a local market. All infected plants have been destroyed. The greenhouse and tools have been disinfected. The NPPO considers that this outbreak has now been eradicated.
The pest status of Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. oortii in Poland is officially declared as: Absent, pest eradicated.
EPPO note: Very limited information is available from the literature on this bacterium. So far, it was only recorded on Tulipa, therefore it is the first time that it is reported from Petunia. According to the CABI map, the presence of this bacterium has been reported, at least in the past, from the following countries:
EPPO region: Denmark, Netherlands, Romania, United Kingdom (England and Wales).
Asia: Japan, Republic of Korea.
Sources
NPPO of Poland (2016-11).
CABI (2000) Distribution Maps of Plant Diseases Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. oortii no. 539, 2 pp.