New outbreaks of Xylella fastidiosa in Portugal, and first report on citrus plants
Since the last update of the situation of Xylella fastidiosa (EPPO A2 List) in Portugal (EPPO RS 2022/064) official surveys have been performed, and new outbreaks detected for the first time in the region Centro, and additional outbreaks in regions Norte, and Lisboa e Vale do Tejo. In particular, an outbreak has been detected for the first time on several citrus species in the region Norte. Eradication measures according to EU Regulation 2020/1201 are applied in all cases, and the outbreak in Algarve has been successfully eradicated.
- Region Norte
- Área Metropolitana do Porto: following new detections during the official survey, the demarcated area has been extended. The subspecies fastidiosa was detected for the first time, and official measures consequently apply to the host plants of both Xylella fastidiosa subsp. fastidiosa and Xylella fastidiosa subsp. multiplex. Xylella fastidiosa subsp. fastidiosa was detected in a number of citrus species (Citrus limon, C. paradisi, C. reticulata, C. sinensis). This is the first time that X. fastidiosa is reported on citrus in the EPPO region.
- New demarcated areas have been established in Alijó (in December 2022, following a finding (subspecies not determined) on Prunus persica), in Baião (in November 2022, following a finding (subspecies not determined) on Pyracantha coccinea in a public garden), in Bougado (in January 2023, following a finding (subspecies multiplex) on Salvia rosmarinus), in two sites in Mirandela (in November 2022, following a finding (subspecies not determined) on Olea europaea; and in December 2022, following a finding (subspecies not determined) on Hibiscus syriacus).
- Region Centro
Following detections, demarcated areas have been established in the following municipalities: Fundão (in November 2022, following a finding (subspecies fastidiosa) on Prunus dulcis in a nursery), Gândaras (in October 2022, following findings (subspecies multiplex) on Prunus dulcis in 2 nurseries), Marrazes (in January 2023, following a finding (subspecies multiplex) on Lavandula stoechas), Monte Redondo (in December 2022, following a finding (subspecies not determined) on Lavandula angustifolia), Póvoa de Midões (in January 2023, following a finding (subspecies multiplex) on Olea europaea).
- Region Lisboa e Vale do Tejo
The demarcated area established in July 2021 in the Área Metropolitana de Lisboa has been extended and now includes 6 outbreaks. The subspecies fastidiosa was detected.
The following new demarcated areas have been recently established: in Colares (in September 2022, following a finding (subspecies not determined) on Lavandula dentata, in Palmela (in December 2022, following a finding (subspecies multiplex) on Quercus suber).
- Region Algarve
Intensive surveys were conducted in the demarcated area in the municipality of Luz de Tavira e Santo Estevão (established in July 2021). No other infected plants and no vectors were found, which confirmed that the initial presence of the bacterium constituted an isolated case. X. fastidiosa is therefore considered eradicated in this area.
The pest status of Xylella fastidiosa subsp. fastidiosa and Xylella fastidiosa subsp. multiplex in Portugal is officially declared as: Present, only in some parts of the Member State concerned, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Portugal (2023-01) Maps of demarcated areas and list of infested host plants are available at: https://www.dgav.pt/plantas/conteudo/sanidade-vegetal/inspecao-fitossanitaria/informacao-fitossanitaria/xylella-fastidiosa/
EU (2020) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1201 of 14 August 2020 as regards measures to prevent the introduction into and the spread within the Union of Xylella fastidiosa (Wells et al.) http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2020/1201/oj