First report of Mycosphaerella pini in Finland
The NPPO of Finland recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first detection of Mycosphaerella pini (EU Annexes) on its territory. The outbreak of the disease was detected on Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) in the communes of Hartola, Suonenjoki and Kangasniemi. The identity of the fungus was confirmed by DNA sequencing from pure culture. In addition, symptomatic pine trees have been found in the following communes: Jämsä, Varkaus, Leppävirta, Janakkala, Pieksämäki, Padasjoki, Kuhmoinen, Lammi, Laukaa, Joutsa, Tuusula and Ristiina. However, these findings have not been confirmed by laboratory testing. The magnitude of the outbreak is such that eradication of the disease is considered impossible, and therefore no eradication measures were taken. The relatively widespread presence of the disease will be taken into account during the phytosanitary inspections of pine nurseries and places of production of ornamental conifers. The situation of the disease in Finnish forests will be surveyed on a yearly basis.
The situation of Mycosphaerella pini in Finland can be described as follows: Present, first detected in 2008, observed in several communes in the south-east.
Sources
NPPO of Finland (2008-10).