First report of Xanthomonas arboricola pv. corylina in Portugal
The NPPO of Portugal recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first record of Xanthomonas arboricola pv. corylina (EPPO A2 List) on its territory. At the request of a farmer, an inspection was carried out by the official services in a hazelnut orchard (Corylus avellana cv. Fertil de Coutard) located in the municipality of Castelo de Paiva, region Norte. Symptoms of a bacterial infection were detected on approximately 25% of the trees (from a total of 208 trees), and a sample was collected and tested. Laboratory analysis (molecular tests) confirmed the presence of X. arborícola pv. corylina. This is the first time that this bacterium is detected in Portugal. At the time of inspection and as a precautionary measure, the farmer was initially instructed not to move any plant material from the orchard concerned and to destroy on site all symptomatic plants. As soon as the confirmation was received from the laboratory, the destruction of the affected hazelnut orchard was ordered. Other hazelnut varieties present in the farm were inspected but no symptoms were found. The site of the orchard will remain under surveillance, as well as the few hazelnut orchards located in its vicinity.
The pest status of Xanthomonas arboricola pv. corylina in Portugal is officially declared as: Present, only in some parts of the Member State concerned, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Portugal (2018-09).