Recommendations to policy makers from Euphresco projects
The following research project has recently been carried out in the framework of Euphresco (network for phytosanitary research coordination and funding, hosted by EPPO). A report presenting the main objectives and results of this project, as well as recommendations made to policy makers can be viewed on the Internet.
Project title: Assessment of Dickeya and Pectobacterium spp. on vegetables and ornamentals (Soft rot)
This project contributed to a rapid and extensive information exchange on the characterization of (new) pathogens causing soft rot and blackleg diseases. It has been observed that the population structure of soft rot Pectobacteriaceae (SRP) changes rapidly, in particular in potato. The finding and characterization of several new variants of SRP indicates that there is a risk of introducing new aggressive pathogens causing soft rots from the environment. It stresses the importance of conducting regular surveys. Given the high risks of infections from environmental sources, management practices (in particular hygiene) are essential to reduce the risk of spread. Attempts to select cultivars with a high level of resistance against SRP have failed. To limit damage, treatment of planting material is highly desirable. A combination of physical treatments to reduce inoculum levels of planting material followed by the application of biological control agents (antagonists) that are able to control the pathogen is a strategy that is expected to reduce inoculum load and symptom development.
Authors: van der Wolf, Jan; Bergsma-Vlami, M; Saddler, Gerry; Hélias, Valérie; Tsror, Leah; Yedida, Iris; Pirhonen, Minna; Degefu, Yeshtila; Tuomisto, Jussi; Lojkowska, Ewa; Li, Sean.
Duration of the project: 2015-01-01 to 2018-12-31.
Link: https://zenodo.org/record/3603096#.XhcnsMhKjcs
Sources
Euphresco (2020-01). https://www.euphresco.net/projects/