First report of ‘Candidatus Arsenophonus phytopathogenicus’ in Central Europe
A survey was conducted in October-November 2023 on diseases of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) caused by ’Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ (EPPO A2 List) and ’Candidatus Arsenophonus phytopathogenicus’, which are associated respectively with rubbery taproot disease and syndrome basses richesses of sugar beet in Central Europe.
’Ca. Phytoplasma solani’ is the most prevalent pathogen. It was detected in all countries surveyed (Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, and Slovakia).
‘Ca. Arsenophonus phytopathogenicus’ was reported for the first time in Austria, Czech Republic, Romania, Serbia, and Slovakia, and its presence in Hungary is confirmed. It is considered only sporadic in Serbia (two samples), the Czech Republic (two samples) and Romania (one sample).
Sources
Duduk B, Stepanović J, Fránová J, Zwolińska A, Rekanović E, Stepanović M, Vučković N, Duduk N, Vico I (2024) Geographical variations, prevalence, and molecular dynamics of fastidious phloem-limited pathogens infecting sugar beet across Central Europe. PLoS ONE 19(7): e0306136. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0306136