First record of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae in France
The NPPO of France recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first detection of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (EPPO Alert List) on its territory. The bacterium was identified on 2010-07-26 in 5 samples of Actinidia deliciosa cv. ‘Summer’ (green kiwifruit) which had been collected from Rhône-Alpes region. This outbreak concerned 4 plots of A. deliciosa cv. ‘Summer’ but similar symptoms have been observed in another plot of A. deliciosa cv. ‘Hayward’ where samples are currently being tested. All infected plants originated from a single lot imported from a nursery of another EPPO member country. The NPPO of this country was informed immediately. The possible phytosanitary measures which could be taken against P. syringae pv. actinidiae are currently being studied by the French NPPO. Tracing-back studies are being carried out to determine if other plants for planting had been imported from the infected nursery. In addition, surveys will be conducted at the beginning of 2011 to determine the extent of bacterial canker of kiwifruit in France.
The situation of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae in France can be described as follows: Present, detected for the first time in 2010 in Rhône-Alpes region on a small number of production sites, under official control.
Sources
NPPO of France (2010-09).