First report of Acidovorax citrulli in North Macedonia
During August 2019, fruit blotch symptoms were observed on mature fruits of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) in a 5 ha-field in Sopot Kavadarci, North Macedonia. Samples were collected from diseased fruit and tested in the laboratory (physiological, biochemical, pathogenicity, and PCR tests according to the EPPO Diagnostic Protocol PM 7/127). Results confirmed the presence of Acidovorax citrulli (EPPO A1 List). This is the first time that A. citrulli causing bacterial fruit blotch on watermelon is reported from North Macedonia. Important economic losses (up to 90%) were observed. As A. citrulli is a regulated pest, the Ministry of Agriculture was informed of the results of this research study so that measures can be implemented to prevent disease spread.
The situation of Acidovorax citrulli in North Macedonia can be described as follows: Present, first found in 2019 in 1 production site.
Sources
Mitrev S, Arsov E (2020) First report of bacterial fruit blotch on watermelon caused by Acidovorax citrulli in the Republic of North Macedonia. Plant Disease (in press) https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-01-20-0204-PDN