Synchytrium endobioticum found in Germany
In 2017, the NPPO of Germany has reported several outbreaks of Synchytrium endobioticum (EPPO A2 List) on its territory. In all cases, official phytosanitary measures have been taken to eradicate the disease.
Baden-Württemberg
In May 2017, S. endobioticum was found on a single seed potato tuber harvested in 2016. A demarcated area was established, consisting of the plot where the seed potato had been grown in 2016 and the directly adjacent plots (5.2 ha located in the municipality of Dettingen an der Iller). Within the demarcated area, it is prohibited to grow potatoes or other plants for planting. The source of this outbreak is unknown, but it is supposed that some winter sporangia may have been transferred by birds or wild boars from a nearby field found to be infested by S. endobioticum in 2011.
Bayern
In February 2017, a grower notified the German NPPO of the presence of potato wart disease in his potato harvest of 2016. By planting a selection of differential potato cultivars on the field concerned (2 ha) by the official authorities, the presence of S. endobioticum race 18 was confirmed.
In August 2017, S. endobioticum was found in 3 lots of seed potatoes grown on two nearby fields (15 ha). Infestation was detected during sampling for potato bacteria for seed potato certification. In October 2017, 1 lot of seed potatoes of the same grower was also found to be infested (4 ha) during sampling before harvest. Finally, 1 additional infested lot of seed potatoes was found in November 2017, again on the same farm. The infestation (6 ha) was found during tracing back studies. The source of this outbreak is unknown. It is presumed that the fields might have been already infested prior to planting and carry-over at this farm might be the reason for the infestation in several fields.
In October 2017, S. endobioticum was found in a lot of seed potatoes. The infestation was detected during sampling for potato bacteria in the context of potato certification. It is estimated that a plot of 1 ha is infected. The source of this outbreak is unknown.
In October 2017, during tracing forward investigations related to the outbreak in seed potatoes in Baden-Württemberg (above, 2 symptomatic tubers were found during harvesting.
The pest status of Synchytrium endobioticum in Germany is officially declared as: Present few occurrences, at low prevalence.
Sources
NPPO of Germany (2018-01, 2017-08).