First report of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ on carrot crops in Italy
During a study, Ilardi et al. (2016) detected ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ (potato haplotypes are listed in the EPPO A1 List) in 6 lots of carrot seeds which had been purchased in Italy during 2015 (Daucus carota cvs. Berlicum, Nantese, Flakkèe, and Mezza Lunga Nantese). During a subsequent study conducted in spring 2017, Catara et al. (2017), confirmed the presence of the bacterium in carrot crops in Sicilia. Leaves showing yellowing and purple discolouration were observed in 3 out of 5 carrot fields visited, although with a very low incidence. Molecular tests confirmed the presence of ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ in symptomatic carrot samples. It is noted that numerous psyllids (under identification) have also been collected from the carrot fields studied. This is the first time that ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ is reported from Italy.
The situation of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ in Italy can be described as follows: Present, only in some areas on carrot crops (Sicilia).
Sources
Catara V, Licciardello G, Linguaglossa M, Salonia F, Rapisarda C, La Rosa R, Cocuzza Massimino GE (2017) First report of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ in carrot in Italy. Phytopathologia Mediterranea 56(2), p 296.
Ilardi V, Di Nicola E, Tavazza M (2016) First report of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ in commercial carrot seeds in Italy. Journal of Plant Pathology 98(2), p 374.