New outbreak of Meloidogyne chitwoodi in Bulgaria
The NPPO of Bulgaria recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of an outbreak of the root knot nematode Meloidogyne chitwoodi (EPPO A2 List) on its territory for the first time since its eradication in 2003 (EPPO RS 2004/077).
A hobby farmer contacted the NPPO because of his farm-saved seed potatoes(Solanum tuberosum), rotted during storage. The farmer has been using the same self-grown seed potatoes annually for at least six years. The NPPO of Bulgaria confirmed the presence of M. chitwoodi in the potatoes by laboratory analysis in February 2024. The infested potatoes (about 300 kg) had been grown in an 800 m2 non-irrigated field in the village of Dušanci (Pirdop municipality, Sofia province, Western Bulgaria). No other potatoes or similar crops grown in the area were found to be infested by the pest. The source of the infestation is unknown. Official phytosanitary measures have been taken, including prohibition of moving of the infected batch.
The pest status of Meloidogyne chitwoodi in Bulgaria is officially declared as: Present, only in some parts of the Member State concerned, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Bulgaria (2025-03).