Update on the situation of Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. poinsettiae in Germany
Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. poinsettiae (EPPO Alert List) was found in 2016 in a greenhouse of a nursery in Lower-Saxony and eradicated (EPPO RS 2017/014). During trace-back investigations in relation with this first outbreak, C. flaccumfaciens pv. poinsettiae was found in Baden-Württemberg (municipality of Stuttgart) in November 2016 in a greenhouse producing Euphorbia pulcherrima plants for planting. Plants were produced from cuttings imported from Africa where the nursery maintains their mother plants. The NPPO did not take phytosanitary measures because all host plants had already been sold or destroyed and disinfection measures had been taken by the nursery. In 2017, samples were taken in the nursery and C. flaccumfaciens pv. poinsettiae was not detected. The pathogen is considered eradicated in Baden-Württemberg. The NPPO notes that the producer is now able to test the mother plants before import, which should reduce the risk of importing infected cuttings.
In Schleswig-Holstein, C. flaccumfaciens pv. poinsettiae was found in two greenhouses on plants of E. pulcherrima 'Scandic Early’ in August and in October 2018. The nurseries observed symptoms and informed the NPPO. Samples were taken and the pathogen was identified. The infected plants and the neighbouring plants were destroyed, and disinfection measures are taken to avoid the spread of the pathogen. Official inspections take place on a weekly basis. Trace-back investigations are ongoing to find out the source of the infection.
The pest status of Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. poinsettiae in Germany is officially declared as: Transient, actionable, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Germany (2018-10, 2018-11, 2019-03).