First report of Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni in Norway
The NPPO of Norway recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first record of Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni (EPPO A2 List) on its territory. The bacterium was detected for the first time during summer and autumn 2015. During official surveys conducted in 2015, 2016 and 2017, a total of 1322 samples were taken from symptomless Prunus spp. (i.e. Prunus domestica, P. avium, P. cerasus, P. laurocerasus and other ornamental Prunus) in nurseries (2015), fruit orchards (2016 and 2017) and public greens (2017). Collected samples were then tested by real-time-PCR methods. X. arboricola pv. pruni was found in 11 samples from 5 nurseries in Østfold (1 nursery), Oslo (1), Buskerud (1) and Hordaland (2). Concerning host plants, the bacterium was found in P. domestica in 4 nurseries and in P. laurocerasus in 1 nursery. Official measures were taken and all infected plants have been destroyed.
The pest status of Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni in Norway is officially declared as: Present: but managed.
Sources
NPPO of Norway (2018-06).