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July 5, 2004
From: European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO)
Reporting Service 2004, No. 3 [edited]

2004/044 Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus found in Finland

Potato ring rot caused by _Clavibacter michiganensis_ subsp. _sepedonicus_ [Cms] (EPPO A2 list) was found in Finland, between Oct 2003 and Feb 2004, on 4 farms producing ware (table) potatoes. The following potato lots were found infested: _Solanum tuberosum_, cv. Matilda (3 lots - 8.82 ha), Van Gogh (1 lot, 3.26 ha), Fambo (1 ha), Asterix and Van Gogh (1 lot, 0.31 ha) and Matilda (1 lot, 0.06 ha).

These findings were made during investigations done to trace back infestations that had been found during market control. Investigations are continuing to identify farms that used the same seed potato clones that were found infected in the 4 farms concerned. Official phytosanitary measures are taken according to EU Directive 93/85/EEC and the Decision of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry 100/95.

The situation of Cms in Finland can be described as follows: present, found on ware potatoes in a limited number of farms, under eradication.

Source: National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) of Finland, 2004-03.

[According to Antec International, a balanced, stabilised blend of peroxygen compounds, surfactant, organic acids, and an inorganic buffer system [Virkon-S] is recommended as a means of controlling Cms and _Ralstonia solanacearum_, [Rs] which cause bacterial ring rot [BRR] and potato brown rot [PBR], respectively. Sanitation, cleanliness, and disinfection are the keys to eradication of bacterial ring rot. If either pathogen is confirmed on a commercial farm, a thorough clean-up of storage and equipment must be carried out to reduce the chance of any bacteria remaining and causing contamination of incoming certified seed lots destined for the following year's potato crop. Access to seed storages and equipment by commercial growers and their trucks should be limited and controlled. Equipment should not be shared between commercial and seed farms, and all trucks from commercial potato farms should be cleaned and disinfected before they enter seed storages or seed handling areas. Because of the volume of references, I am citing only 2 references, one for potato wilt and the other for clavibacter. - Mod.DH]