Update of the situation of Citrus bark cracking viroid in Slovenia
In Slovenia Citrus bark cracking viroid (CBCVd - EPPO A2 List) was first recorded causing a damaging disease on hop (Humulus lupulus) in 2015 (EPPO RS 2015/111). Since then, national official phytosanitary measures are applied and were strengthened in 2019 (RS 2019/166). Despite of the removal of infected plants on 135 ha in 2018 and 2019, CBCVd was detected in new sites, reaching a total of 25 infected farms in 2020, on 167 ha (which represents 10.6 % of all hop-producing areas in Slovenia). The infested area, defined as all hop growing fields in these 25 infested farms, covers 341 ha in 2020. The number of plants with visible symptoms is very low (0.09 % in average), but the NPPO of Slovenia considers that despite the implementation of eradication measures for many years, CBCVd can spread again from critical points with machinery, tools and workers. Therefore, based on a risk assessment, official measures have been changed in 2020 from eradication to containment measures.
The pest status of Citrus bark cracking viroid in Slovenia is officially declared as: Present, under containment, in case eradication is impossible.
Sources
NPPO of Slovenia (2021-04).
https://www.gov.si/teme/huda-viroidna-zakrnelost-hmelja-citrus-bark-cracking-viroid/