Potato brown rot in western Europe – history, present occurrence and some remarks on possible origin, epidemiology and control strategies

Abstract

Since 1992 an increased number of outbreaks of potato brown rot, caused by the bacterium Ralstonia (Burkholderia, Pseudomonas) solanacearum race 3, biovar 2, has been reported in several EPPO member countries, including more northern states like Belgium, France, The Netherlands and the UK. The largest outbreak took place in The Netherlands in 1995, mainly through one heavily infected seed‐tuber line. The bacterium was found in most infested countries in surface water and in the weed Solanum dulcamara growing along waterways. In some countries, tomato was also found to be infected. The history of the so‐called‘low‐temperature’race 3, adapted to more temperate climates (also occurring at higher altitudes in the tropics) is described, together with details on its host range and geographical distribution. Possible origins of the disease in western Europe are discussed, including introduction through import of infected early ware or industrial potatoes from some countries in the Mediterranean area, where the disease is established. The brown rot bacterium has many similarities concerning its biology and epidemiology with some other infectious diseases, e.g. with cholera, and useful comparisons can be made for control strategies. A detailed account on the epidemiology of P. solanacearum and possible prevention and control strategies is presented. These strategies are: (1) responsibility for prevention and control is for the country where the disease occurs; (2) countries where the disease occurs should report outbreaks as soon as possible; (3) early and sure detection and diagnosis of the pathogen are the core of the system; (4) adequate prevention and control measures should be taken after an outbreak; (5) production of healthy seed tubers should be guaranteed and surveys and (laboratory) checks for (latent) infections performed; (6) education of scientific personnel and the public (farmers, traders, advisory service, etc.) is essential. It is foreseen that hygienic measures and avoidance of surface water for irrigation will be key factors in successful control of the disease.

Genetic structure of European accessions of Solanum dulcamara L. (Solanaceae)

“…It is a well-known host for the potato quarantine pathogen Pseudomonas solanacearum (Smith) Smith, a causal agent of bacterial wilt or brown rot (Olsson 1976;Elphinstone et al 1996;Janse 1996), and may play an important role in potato late blight epidemiology (Flier et al 2003;Dandurand et al 2006). In some countries in North-West Europe where potato is cultivated, S. dulcamara was subjected to eradication programs from the natural vegetation, aimed at preventing the spread of P. solanacearum.…”

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia: a new potential biocontrol agent of Ralstonia solanacearum, causal agent of potato brown rot

“…It was first found in the Netherlands in 1992 in an isolated case and again in 1995, more widespread due to contaminations via irrigation water. An intensive programme for eradication was started and control measures taken according to European legislation, EC Control Directive 98/57/EC (Janse 1996;Janse et al 1998;Schans and Steeghs 1998).…”

Ralstonia solanacearum: A new threat to potato production in Serbia

“…Furthermore, the bacterium was not found in any of 134 water samples tested, including those originating from areas in which the bacterium was found in ware potato samples. It is noteworthy that outbreaks of the bacterium in several European countries (UK, The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain) during the past two decades have been mostly associated with contamination of surface water used for irrigation, or the use of irrigation water from sources in which infected S. dulcamara was found to be growing (Janse, 1996;Grousset et al, 1998;Elphinstone et al, 1998;Caruso et al, 2000). Furthermore, Urtica dioica has also been reported to be a reservoir of the bacterial wilt pathogen (Wenneker et al, 1999).…”