EPPO Region Research Articles

Editorial

Last year I was honoured to be elected by representatives of the member countries as EPPO's new Director-General. One of the responsibilities that comes with that job is Editor-in-Chief of the EPPO Bulletin. In practice most of the work of producing the Bulletin is undertaken by Madeleine McMullen, who is our Managing Editor, with others in the EPPO Secretariat helping to review papers and translate abstracts. That will continue to be the case. What I would like to do in my role as Editor-in-Chief, initially, is understand what you want from the Bulletin as readers and contributors, and ensure within the broad purposes of the Bulletin and available resources that we are meeting those needs as well as we can. The EPPO Bulletin is the official gazette of our organization, publishing Standards which we have formally adopted and reports of our activities, including proceedings of our workshops and conferences. In addition, we publish submitted papers on all aspects of plant protection, in particular those of special interest to the National Plant Protection Organizations of our member countries. The current issue contains papers on a representative range of topics from across EPPO's fields of interest. It includes a datasheet on the Invasive alien plant Baccharis halimifolia, and a revised version of the Standard PM 3 on ‘Testing growing medium and plants in growing medium’. These are followed by recommendations and conclusions from 2 EPPO Workshops held in 2013 on ‘Experiences with implementation of zonal evaluation of plant protection products’ and on ‘Management of Globodera rostochiensis and G. pallida’. The rest of the issue brings together a very wide range of authored articles on plant quarantine and plant protection products. A report on furniture as a pathway for pests is included along with results from a survey on pests in wood packaging material. Pest Risk Analysis is further developed in a quantitative interpretation of the entry section of the EPPO decision-support scheme. A paper from Syria provides information on parasitoids of scale pests and recommendations for the EPPO Positive List. A potential product for the control of postharvest green mould is evaluated and semi field trials for molluscicide efficacy are presented. Several first reports provide important updates on the geographical distribution of a range of pests and information on phytosanitary status of different crops have been provided by experts from across the EPPO region. Is this the right range of topics for the EPPO Bulletin to cover? Are the papers covering the topics in the right way and at the right length for you, as readers? If you have any views on the EPPO Bulletin do let me know via hq@eppo.int so we can take them into account as we start to prepare the content for future issues.

PM 3/37 (2)Tilletia indica:inspection for wheat seeds

EPPO BulletinVolume 43, Issue 3 p. 398-398 Phytosanitary procedures Méthodes phytosanitairesFree Access PM 3/37 (2) Tilletia indica: inspection for wheat seeds First published: 19 November 2013 https://doi.org/10.1111/epp.12074Citations: 1AboutSectionsPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract Specific scope This standard describes the inspection for Tilletia indica on wheat seeds. Specific approval and amendment First approved in September 1990. Edited as EPPO Standard in 1998. Revised in 2013–09. Introduction Tilletia indica is on the EPPO A1 List of pests recommended for regulation and details about its biology, distribution and economic importance can be found in the EPPO datasheet (EPPO/CABI, 1997). Phytosanitary measures at import may include that wheat seed from countries outside the EPPO region should have been inspected in the field during the growing season and found free from T. indica, and that wheat seed from countries where T. indica occurs should have been tested in representative samples by an EPPO-recommended method and found free from the fungus. Method If visual inspection of the seed crop reveals the presence of bunted ears these should then be examined by the seed test method. T. indica, as a smut fungus, sporulates in infected seeds. Seed batches may contain infected (bunted) seeds, or these may have been broken during threshing, releasing spores which contaminate the surface of otherwise healthy seeds. Details for the seed test method are given in PM 7/29 Diagnostic Protocol for Tilletia indica. Field inspection Field inspection should take place between heading (GS 50) and harvest. Inspectors should look for diseased heads (see photos in PQR EPPO, 2013); symptoms depend on climate and are most clearly seen when humid conditions and moderate temperatures prevail at flowering. Any bunted seeds should be examined under the microscope for the characteristic teliospores of T. indica, as distinct from those of other Tilletia spp., which may give somewhat similar symptoms (ISTA, 1984). References ISTA (1984) Working sheet no. 53: Tilletia contraversa, T. caries and T. foetida on wheat. In Handbook on Seed Health Testing. ISTA, Zürich (CH). EPPO (2013) PQR-EPPO database on quarantine pests (available online) http://www.eppo.int/DATABASES/pqr/pqr.htm [accessed on 1 June 2013]. EPPO/CABI (1997) Tilletia indica. In: Quarantine Pests for Europe, 2nd edn, (Eds IM Smith, DG McNamara, PR Scott, M Holderness), pp. 938– 943. CAB International, Wallingford (GB). Enquiries May be directed to: ISTA, P.O. Box 412, Zürich (CH). Citing Literature Volume43, Issue3December 2013Pages 398-398 ReferencesRelatedInformation

Normes OEPP EPPO Standards

Normes OEPP EPPO Standards

PM 3/32 (2)Tomato ringspot virusin fruit trees and grapevine: inspection

EPPO BulletinVolume 43, Issue 3 p. 397-397 Phytosanitary procedures Méthodes phytosanitairesFree Access PM 3/32 (2) Tomato ringspot virus in fruit trees and grapevine: inspection First published: 19 November 2013 https://doi.org/10.1111/epp.12073Citations: 4AboutSectionsPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract Specific scope This standard describes the inspection for Tomato ringspot virus in fruit trees and grapevine. Specific approval and amendment First approved in September 1990. Edited as EPPO Standard in 1998. Revised in 2013–09. Introduction Tomato ringspot virus (ToRSV) is on the EPPO A2 List of pests recommended for regulation and details about its biology, distribution and economic importance can be found in the Datasheet (EPPO/CABI, 1997) and Stace-Smith (1984). It should be noted that in the EPPO region ToRSV has not been found on any fruit crop but only on pelargonium. So for fruits it practically has an A1 status. Phytosanitary measures at import for ToRSV, plants for planting (except seeds) of apple, cherry, peach and apricot may include provisions that plants should come from a field inspected for ToRSV and found free from the virus. If they come from a country where ToRSV occurs, they have to be derived (not further than the second generation) from mother plants tested for ToRSV, and maintained under conditions designed to prevent re-infection. Methods are thus needed for visual inspection in the field. Methods Fruit trees and grapevine infected by ToRSV can show very striking symptoms, so visual inspection is important in practice. However, it is not be sufficient as a method for detecting ToRSV in mother plants, which should be tested (for laboratory testing see PM 7/49 Diagnostic Protocol for Tomato ringspot virus). Finally, maintenance under conditions designed to prevent re-infection implies absence of the nematode vector Xiphinema americanum sensu lato. This requires soil extraction, a simple task requiring little equipment, and nematode identification, a task for the specialist. Visual inspection Symptoms of ToRSV infection depend on the fruit-tree host: all Prunus spp. show stem pitting, associated with graft-union abnormalities; with the yellow bud mosaic strain, almond and peach show symptoms of yellow bud mosaic (pale green to pale yellow, oblong, feather-edged blotches along the main vein or large lateral veins of the leaves; buds produce rosettes of small and often distorted leaves, with or without mottling, or are pale yellow and later die; fruits may be dwarfed or malformed). Apple shows union necrosis (necrosis of the graft union and symptoms on the tree similar to those following trunk girdling). Grapevine shows general decline, ringspot and mottling on the leaves, dwarfing and rosetting of the leaves, berry abortion, spongy phloem tissue with numerous necrotic pits. References EPPO/CABI (1997) Tomato ringspot nepovirus. In Quarantine Pests for Europe, 2nd edn (Eds IM Smith, DG McNamara, PR Scott, M Holderness), pp. 1373– 1378. CAB International, Wallingford (GB). Stace-Smith R (1984) Tomato ringspot virus. CMI/AAB Descriptions of Plant Viruses no. 290. AAB, Wellesbourne (GB). Citing Literature Volume43, Issue3December 2013Pages 397-397 ReferencesRelatedInformation

Normes OEPP EPPO Standards

Normes OEPP EPPO Standards

Development of the simultaneous detection of Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 and Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus in potato tubers by a multiplex real-time PCR assay

Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus and Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith) Yabuuchi et al. race 3 are the causal agents of ring-rot and brown-rot of potato respectively. These diseases represent a serious threat to potato production in temperate climates. Both bacteria are listed as A2 pests in the EPPO region and as zero-tolerance quarantine organisms in the European Union. All the detection tests developed so far were only focused on the detection of a single pathogen while the absence of both bacteria has to be certified in the seed tubers. We have therefore developed a new multiplex real-time PCR assay to simultaneously detect both bacteria in a single assay. Additionally, the reliability of this molecular diagnostic test has been improved by the simultaneous amplification of an internal control, corresponding to a potato gene co-extracted from the sample. The polyvalence and the specificity of each set of bacterial primers and probes were evaluated on more than 90 bacterial strains. The limit of detection of this triplex real-time protocol was similar to those observed with other molecular protocols previously developed for the individual detection of one of these bacteria. A concordance of 100 % was obtained in a blind test mimicking the routine application of the technology. In conclusion, this new protocol represents a straightforward and convenient method potentially adapted to primary screening of potato tubers.

‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’

<i>‘Candidatus</i> Liberibacter solanacearum’

Epitrix similaris and Epitrix cucumeris in Portugal: damage patterns in potato and suitability of potential host plants for reproduction

The potato flea beetle species Epitrix similaris and Epitrix cucumeris were identified in mainland Portugal in 2009. This was the first finding of the species E. similaris in the EPPO region, and the first report of the species E. cucumeris, established in the Atlantic Islands of Azores (Portugal) for three decades, in the mainland EPPO zone. Preliminary information on the damage patterns caused by E. similaris and E. cucumeris on potato and their host plant preferences is provided. Leaf feeding by the adults causes the characteristic shot‐hole pattern common to flea beetles. The larvae of both species develop on the root system and cause damage to the tubers. In field experiments, tuber damage by E. similaris presented three patterns: superficial tracks (serpentines), black splinters, and shallow holes. In the laboratory E. cucumeris was observed to be able to feed on very small immature tubers, causing serpentines and holes as well. However, in some cases it developed exclusively on roots. The adults of both Epitrix species hardly fed and reproduced on sweet pepper plants but fed and reproduced on the remaining five solanaceous plants tested (aubergine, Datura stramonium, tomato, potato and Solanum nigrum). E. similaris produced a much higher number of progeny on potato and on S. nigrum than on the other host plants. E. cucumeris produced more offspring on S. nigrum than on the other host‐plants.

Keiferia lycopersicella

<scp>K</scp>eiferia lycopersicella

PM 7/42 (2) Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis

Specific scopeThis standard describes a diagnostic protocol for Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis.Specific approval and amendmentApproved in 2004‐09.Revision adopted in 2012‐09.

Normes OEPP EPPO Standards Diagnostics Diagnostic

Normes OEPP EPPO Standards Diagnostics Diagnostic

First Report of Brown Rot Caused by Monilinia fructicola on Nectarine in Serbia.

In August 2011, nectarine (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch var. nucipersica (Suckow) C. K. Schneid) fruit originated from Oplenac region with symptoms of fruit rot was collected at a green market in Belgrade. Fruit had large, brown, sunken lesions covered with grayish brown tufts. Symptoms resembled those caused by species of Monilinia including M. laxa, M. fructigena, or M. fructicola (2). In order to isolate the causal organism, small superficial fragments of pericarp were superficially disinfected with commercial bleach and placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA). The majority (32 out of 33) isolates formed rosetted non-sporulating colonies with lobed margins resembling those of M. laxa. However, one isolate (Npgm) produced an abundant, grayish-white colony with even margins and concentric rings of sporogenous mycelium, resembling those described for M. fructicola (2). Conidia were one-celled, hyaline, ellipsoid to lemon shaped, 7.38 to 14.76 × 4.92 to 9.84 μm, and borne in branched monilioid chains. The average daily growth on PDA at 24°C was 10.9 mm. A single-spore isolate of Npgm was identified as M. fructicola based on the morphology of colony and conidia, temperature requirements, and growth rate (2). Morphological identification was confirmed by an amplified product of 535 bp using genomic DNA extracted from the mycelium of pure culture and species-specific PCR for the detection of M. fructicola (2). The ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA of Npgm was amplified and sequenced using primers ITS1/ITS4. Sequence analysis of ITS region revealed 100% nucleotide identity between the isolate Npgm (GenBank Accession No. JX127303) and 17 isolates of M. fructicola from different parts of the world, including four from Europe (FJ411109, FJ411110, GU967379, JN176564). Pathogenicity of the isolate Npgm was confirmed by inoculating five surface-disinfected mature nectarine and five apple fruits by placing a mycelial plug under the wounded skin of the fruit. Nectarine and apple fruits inoculated with sterile PDA plugs served as a negative controls. After a 3-day incubation at 22°C, inoculated sites developed brown lesions and the pathogen was succesfully reisolated. There were no symptoms on the control nectarine or apple fruits. M. fructicola is commonly present in Asia, North and South America, New Zealand, and Australia, while in the EPPO Region the pathogen is listed as an A2 quarantine organism (3). In Europe, the first discovery of M. fructicola was reported in France and since then, it has been found in Hungary, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Spain, Slovenia, Italy, Austria, Poland, Romania, Germany, and Slovakia (1). Most recently, M. fructicola was found on stored apple fruits in Serbia (4). To our knowledge, this is the first report of M. fructicola decaying peach fruit in Serbia. These findings suggest that the pathogen is spreading on its principal host plants and causing substantial economic losses in the Serbian fruit production.

EPPO Study on the Risk of Imports of Plants for Planting: description and details of the first outcomes

EPPO member countries requested that a study be conducted to identify and better address the risks presented by the trade of plants for planting, which has led to numerous introductions of pests into the EPPO region in recent years. Concerns were raised about the efficacy of the current plant health systems in place in the EPPO region to deal with the risks presented by plants for planting. The EPPO Study on the Risk of Imports of Plants for Planting was launched by the EPPO Council in 2010. The first part of the Study was completed in spring 2012. It was published as EPPO Technical Document 1061 (http://www.eppo.int/QUARANTINE/EPPO_Study_on_Plants_for_planting.pdf). Examples of pest outbreaks in the EPPO region suspected to be caused by international trade of plants for planting were analyzed. This analysis identified characteristics of the pest/crop/trade patterns associated with the risks of importing pests. These characteristics are described as criteria that are intended to be used in a screening process to enable identification of commodities that require an assessment prior to import in the EPPO region. The further elaboration of the screening process is briefly outlined.

Tuta absoluta, a South American pest of tomato now in the EPPO region: biology, distribution and damage

Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) is an invasive pest of tomato native to South America, where it is responsible for extensive damage. It rapidly spread into several European countries, becoming a key pest. Knowledge of its main biological traits can be used to develop effective plant protection management strategies. It is a multivoltine species with a homodynamous behaviour, and the length of its life cycle depends on environmental conditions, particularly temperature. The larvae feed and develop inside tomato leaves, stems and fruits throughout the entire growing cycle. The adults have crepuscular habits, and in Mediterranean conditions they can be easily detected throughout the year. Damage is directly related to the reduction of plants' photosynthetic capacity and of production levels in both protected and open‐field tomato crops; indirect damage can be also caused by secondary infections, with pathogens developing on the infested plant and fruit tissues.

Alien aquatic plant species in European countries

HussnerA (2012). Alien aquatic plant species in European countries.Weed Research52, 297–306.SummaryAlien aquatic plant species cause serious ecological and economic impacts to European freshwater ecosystems. This study presents a comprehensive overview of all alien aquatic plants in Europe, their places of origin and their distribution within the 46 European countries. In total, 96 aquatic species from 30 families have been reported as aliens from at least one European country. Most alien aquatic plants are native to Northern America, followed by Asia and Southern America.Elodea canadensisis the most widespread alien aquatic plant in Europe, reported from 41 European countries.Azolla filiculoidesranks second (25), followed byVallisneria spiralis(22) andElodea nuttallii(20). The highest number of alien aquatic plant species has been found in Italy and France (34 species), followed by Germany (27), Belgium and Hungary (both 26) and the Netherlands (24). Even though the number of alien aquatic plants seems relatively small, the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO,http://www.eppo.org) has listed 18 of these species as invasive or potentially invasive within the EPPO region. As ornamental trade has been regarded as the major pathway for the introduction of alien aquatic plants, trading bans seem to be the most effective option to reduce the risk of further unintended entry of alien aquatic plants into Europe.

The psyllid Macrohomotoma gladiata Kuwayama, 1908 (Hemiptera: Psylloidea: Homotomidae): a Ficus pest recently introduced in the EPPO region

The psyllid Macrohomotoma gladiata, is a new insect pest of Ficus originating from Asia which has recently been found in Spain (Alicante) on urban Ficus microcarpa trees. This species may be of phytosanitary concern because of its leaf wrapping habits, wax secretion and honeydew excretion that may lead to direct and secondary twig damage. Although more studies are needed on the biology of M. gladiata, it is suspected that it might behave in the Euro‐Mediterranean as an invasive alien species. The predation by Anthocoris sp. (nemoralis?) needs to be investigated in order to assess its effectiveness as a natural biological control agent. This is the first report of M. gladiata from the EPPO region.

EPPO Workshop on Meloidogyne chitwoodi and Meloidogyne fallax (2011‐03‐08): importance for potato production and experience of management in EPPO countries

Prior to the meeting of the Panel on Phytosanitary Measures for Potato in 2011, a one-day workshop on Meloidogyne chitwoodi and Meloidogyne fallax was held. Several additional experts, including nematologists, attended the workshop. The objectives were to review current knowledge on these Meloidogyne nematode pests; to share experiences of dealing with outbreaks; and to consider what further work, if any, should be undertaken by EPPO. There were four presentations by experts followed by discussions of several key issues. The conclusions of the workshop are presented. Meloidogyne nematodes are extremely polyphagous, difficult to detect and difficult to eradicate. In view of the regulatory status of both M. chitwoodi and M. fallax, there is a need for more systematic surveillance of these nematodes in the EPPO region to investigate their distribution and the feasibility of phytosanitary measures for the longer term. The participants at the EPPO workshop concluded that, based on current knowledge, M. chitwoodi and M. fallax do not pose a major threat for potato production. However, to promote awareness and surveillance, a national regulatory control system is needed to assist countries in taking action in case these nematodes are found. The experiences shared during this workshop will be used to develop a National Regulatory Control System for M. chitwoodi and M. fallax (EPPO PM 9 Standard). Mr Niere (Julius Kuhn-Institut, DE) gave a general introduction to Meloidogyne nematodes with emphasis on M. chitwoodi and M. fallax. Root-knot nematodes are the most important group of plant parasitic nematodes. In 1949, the first five species were described by B. Chitwood; by 2009, nearly 100 species had been described. The decreasing use of nematicides, coupled with more intensive host cropping systems, may explain why these nematodes have become a more prominent problem for growers. Meloidogyne nematodes are extremely polyphagous and damaging and have a worldwide distribution. The origin of these nematodes is not known. The species that have traditionally been recognized as major pests are M. incognita, M. arenaria, M. javanica and M. hapla. New species are emerging, however, including M. enterolobii, M. paranaenis, M. fallax, M. chitwoodi and M. minor, which also pose a major threat. Meloidogyne species are especially damaging in tropical regions for numerous vegetable crops, and can cause complete loss of harvest. Root-knot nematodes damage root systems and can induce the formation of galls, thereby weakening root systems, but rarely cause plant death. Necrotic lesions can also occur in the cortex. In

Ludwigia grandiflora and L. peploides Onagraceae – Water primroses

<i>Ludwigia grandiflora</i> and <i>L. peploides</i> Onagraceae – Water primroses

Normes OEPP EPPO Standards Efficacy evaluation of plant protection products Evaluation biologique des produits phytosanitaires

Normes OEPP EPPO Standards Efficacy evaluation of plant protection products Evaluation biologique des produits phytosanitaires

Normes OEPP EPPO Standards Diagnostics Diagnostic

Normes OEPP EPPO Standards Diagnostics Diagnostic