First report of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ in Greece
In July 2016, a sample of carrot plants (Daucus carota cv. Dordogne) showing suspicious symptoms (formation of secondary taproots) was collected near Neochoraki (Boeotia) in Central Greece, and sent to the Benaki Phytopathological Institute. Results of the analysis (PCR) confirmed the presence of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ (potato haplotypes are listed in the EPPO A1 List) in the symptomatic carrot sample. In addition, ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ was detected in archived DNA from leaves of 3 carrot plants (D. carota cv. Newhall) which had been sent to Benaki Phytopathological Institute in September 2014 from an area located approximately 18 km away from Neochoraki. These plants were showing yellowish and purple leaf discolorations, as well as stunted shoots. Further sequence analysis indicated that all strains of ‘Ca. Liberibacter solanacearum’ identified so far in Greece belong to haplotype D. This is the first time that ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ is reported in Greece.
The situation of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ in Greece can be described as follows: Present, only in some areas (found on carrots near Neochoraki, Central Greece).
Sources
Holeva MC, Glynos PE, Karafla CD (2017) First report of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ on carrot in Greece. Plant Disease 101(10), p 1819.