First report of Xanthomonas fragariae in China
During summer 2016, angular leaf spot symptoms were observed on strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa cv. Sweet Charlie) crops in Tianjin, China. It is estimated that the disease incidence reached up to 60%. Disease symptoms appeared mostly on leaf edges as small, brownish-black specks, which later became angular water-soaked lesions. Additionally, some severely infected plants presented reddish to necrotic lesions on the upper leaf surfaces. Yellow bacterial colonies were consistently isolated from water-soaked lesions of 5 infected plants. Laboratory analysis (morphological, biochemical, molecular and pathogenicity tests) confirmed the presence of Xanthomonas fragariae (EPPO A2 List) in the diseased samples. According to information available at the EPPO Secretariat, this is the first time that X. fragariae is reported from China. It is noted that further surveys will be conducted to assess the distribution of the bacterium in China. Although the disease observed in Tianjin was localized and not very severe, it is considered that the spread X. fragariae to new areas could have a potentially significant economic impact on Chinese strawberry production.
The situation of Xanthomonas fragariae in China can be described as follows: Present, only in some areas (Tianjin).
Sources
Wang J, Wei HL, Chang RK, Liu HQ, Wang YH (2017) First report of strawberry bacterial angular leaf spot caused by Xanthomonas fragariae in Tianjin, China. Plant Disease 101(11), p 1949.