First report of Meloidogyne chitwoodi in Spain
The NPPO of Spain recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first report of the root knot nematode Meloidogyne chitwoodi (EPPO A2 List) on its territory. In the framework of annual official surveys, symptomatic potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum) were collected from a field (2.32 ha) in the municipality of Santa Croya de Tera (Zamora province, Castilla y León). The identity of the nematode was confirmed by the National Reference Laboratory on nematodes. In the meantime, the potato field had been harvested and the potatoes were stored in a warehouse in the locality of Mozar de Valverde (Zamora province). All potatoes coming from the infested field will be destroyed (104 boxes, approximately 1 000 kg each). A demarcated area will be established, and official phytosanitary measures will be taken in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/2031.
The pest status of Meloidogyne chitwoodi in Spain is officially declared as: Present, under eradication, only in some parts of the Member State concerned.
Sources
NPPO of Spain (2020-11).