Update on the situation of Meloidogyne graminicola in Italy
In Italy, the nematode Meloidogyne graminicola (EPPO Alert List) was first reported in 2016 from Piemonte region (EPPO RS 2016/211) on rice (Oryza sativa) crops and wild plants growing in their vicinity, and in 2018 in rice fields in Lombardia (RS 2018/196). Official measures were applied in both areas. The phytosanitary measures that were implemented effectively reduced the population density of M. graminicola, but complete eradication proved to be challenging due to difficulties in weed management and in keeping fields flooded throughout the year.
- In Piemonte, at the end of 2020 the infested area covered about 103 hectares (77 rice fields). Only seven fields (in which the pest was detected in 2016) had symptomatic plants and yield reduction was only observed in one field (RS 2020/052). In 2020-2022 no new infestations were found. M. graminicola has not been detected for three consecutive years in 57 fields. As of 2023, the infested zone comprises 20 paddy fields (about 25 hectares), with very low levels of infestation. In accordance with EU Regulation 2022/1372, containment measures are now applied in the municipalities of Buronzo, Mottalciata, Gifflenga and Castelletto Cervo.
- In Lombardia, eradication measures have been applied up to 2020. The infested area was then 346 ha. Containment measures according to a regional decree in 2021 and EU Regulation 2022/1373 in 2022 have been applied in 16 municipalities in the province of Pavia. As of December 2022, 668 ha are considered as infested areas, and 1955 ha as buffer zones (100 m around an infested field).
The pest status of Meloidogyne graminicola in Italy is officially declared as: Present, in specific parts of the Member State, where host crop(s) are grown, under containment, in case eradication is impossible.
Sources
NPPO of Italy (2022-12, 2023-04).
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1372 of 5 August 2022 as regards temporary measures to prevent the entry into, the movement and spread within, the multiplication and release in the Union of Meloidogyne graminicola (Golden & Birchfield). OJL 206, 16-27 http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2022/1372/oj
Unità di Crisi -19 Ottobre 2022 Piano di Azione Meloidogyne graminicola https://fitosanitario.regione.lombardia.it/wps/portal/site/sfr/DettaglioRedazionale/organismi-nocivi/nematodi/red-meloidogyne (includes a map of the demarcated area).