New finding of Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum in Germany
In Germany, Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum (EPPO A2 List) was first found in a research institution in Hesse on symptomatic ginger plants (Zingiber officinale) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) in 2021, and again in the same location in June 2022 on ginger and cucumber (Cucumis sativus) plants.
In March 2023, it was found for the first time in Baden-Wuerttemberg, again in a research institution. Rhizomes of ginger (Zingiber officinale) originally imported for consumption had been planted in boxes to produce young plants. The plant protection service of Baden-Wuerttemberg took samples to issue plant passports and the official regional laboratory tested the samples as positive for R. pseudosolanacearum. The plants were asymptomatic. Samples were sent to the National reference laboratory for confirmation, but the results are pending. Eradication measures will be imposed: incineration of the infested plants, disinfection of the greenhouse and the boxes where the rhizomes were planted.
The origin of the outbreak is considered to be the organic ginger rhizomes (imported for consumption) that originated in Peru*.
The pest status of Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum in Germany is officially declared as: Present, in specific parts of the Member State, where host crop(s) are grown, under eradication.
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* The only record of the presence of R. pseudosolanacearum in Peru is a single isolate collected from tomato in 1966.
Sources
NPPO of Germany (2023-04).