First report Grapevine flavescence dorée phytoplasma in Slovakia
The NPPO of Slovakia recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the detection of Grapevine flavescence dorée phytoplasma (EPPO A2 List) on its territory. The phytoplasma was detected as part of an official survey on grapevines (Vitis vinifera) in a small (500 plants) vineyard in the municipality of Nové Zámky (Western Slovakia) in August 2021. An infested zone consisting of the vineyard where the positive plants had been detected and a surrounding area of 50 m around the vineyard has been defined, as well as a buffer zone of 1.5 km radius around the infested area. All infested Vitis plants will be destroyed as well as all symptomatic Vitis plants found in the infested area at the start of the growing season in 2022. Intensive monitoring will also be conducted in the buffer zone and will include sampling and testing of symptomatic and asymptomatic Vitis plants, as well as Ailanthus altissima, Alnus glutinosa, Corylus avellana, Salix sp. and Clematis vitalba.
The pest status of Grapevine flavescence dorée phytoplasma in Slovakia is officially declared as: Present, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Slovakia (2022-03).