First report of Clavibacter sepedonicus in Georgia
Studies on Clavibacter sepedonicus (EPPO A2 List) have been conducted in Georgia. Potato (Solanum tuberosum) plants and tubers were collected from potato fields in several production areas. In addition, tubers were collected from private potato storage facilities, markets, and border checkpoints. Specific PCR tests and bioassays were conducted on 124 potato samples. C. sepedonicus was detected in 10 potato tuber samples that expressed ring rot symptoms and in 1 asymptomatic sample. All 11 samples had been collected from private storage facilities, purchased from markets, or obtained from border checkpoints (imports). The bacterium was not detected in samples collected from potato fields. A total of 20 isolates could be obtained from these diseased samples and were further characterized according to their cell morphology, cultural and biochemical properties, and virulence. Four isolates could be obtained from potato tubers harvested in Georgia, for all other isolates no country indication could be given as they were isolated from tubers bought in markets or imported from other countries and their origin could not be ascertained. This is the first time that C. sepedonicus is detected in potato tubers that have been produced in Georgia.
The situation of Clavibacter sepedonicus in Georgia can be described as follows: Present, only in some areas (detected in a few samples of stored potato tubers).
Sources
Sadunishvili T, Węgierek-Maciejewska A, Arseniuk E, Gaganidze D, Amashukeli N, Sturua N, Amiranashvili, Kharadze S, Kvesitadze G (2020) Molecular, morphological and pathogenic characterization of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus strains of different geographic origins in Georgia. European Journal of Plant Pathology 158(1), 195–209.