First record of Meloidogyne enterolobii in the Netherlands
The NPPO of the Netherlands recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first finding of the root knot nematode Meloidogyne enterolobii (EPPO A2 List) on its territory.
M. enterolobii was detected in January 2023 on ornamental Ficus microcarpa plants at one production site (greenhouse) of a retail company. As part of an export inspection of 320 Ficus plants destined to a non-EU country, one root sample tested positive for the presence of the pest. No obvious damage was observed on the upper parts of the plants. In total 576 Ficus plants coming from the same lot had been recently distributed to warehouses in EU Member States. Relevant Member States will be informed of these deliveries.
The plants concerned originated from one production site in the Netherlands where approximately 3500 plants of F. microcarpa are still present. These plants are considered to be infested with M. enterolobii and will be destroyed. Another production site of the same operator, where F. microcarpa were grown in the preceding year, will also be surveyed. The original plants had been imported as rooted potted plants in early 2022.
The pest status of Meloidogyne enterolobii in the Netherlands is officially declared as: Transient: actionable, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of the Netherlands (2023-01) https://english.nvwa.nl/topics/pest-reporting/documents/plant/plant-health/pest-reporting/documents/pest-report-meloidogyne-enterolobii-2023