Stolbur phytoplasma found on potatoes in Germany
The NPPO of Germany recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the occurrence of Stolbur phytoplasma (‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ - EPPO A2 List) on potatoes in Rheinlandpfalz. On 2008-07-31, typical symptoms of stolbur were detected in a potato field of a private grower. The phytoplasma could be isolated from tubers, leaves and stem and was identified by PCR. The infected tubers were used for processing. The grower was officially notified not to grow potatoes on the infected field in 2009. Further samples were collected in the vicinity of the infected field and tested. It is assumed that the infection was caused by natural spread (transmission by the insect vector, Hyalestes obsoletus, from other infected plants), because the infected field was located close to a vineyard. It can be recalled that stolbur was reported for the first time on potato crops in Hessen in 2006 (see EPPO RS 2006/181), and similarly the incursion on potato crops was suspected to be linked to the presence of the phytoplasma in surrounding weeds.
The situation of stolbur phytoplasma on potatoes in Germany can be described as follows: Present, one outbreak detected in Rheinlandpfalz in 2008, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Germany, 2008-10.