Pest survey card on Pseudomonas syringae pv.actinidiae

Abstract

This pest survey card was prepared in the context of the EFSA mandate on plant pest surveillance (M-2017-0137) at the request of the European Commission. Its purpose is to guide the Member States in preparing data and information for surveys ofPseudomonas syringaepv. actinidiae(Psa). These are required to design statistically sound and risk-based pest surveys, in line with current international standards.Pseudomonas syringaepv. actinidiaeis one of over 60 Pseudomonas syringae pathovars, and the causal agent of kiwifruit bacterial canker. Pseudomonas syringaepv. actinidiaeis present in several kiwifruit-growing areas in the EU and is expected to be able to become established in most or all of them. For surveillance, Actinidia chinensisvar.deliciosaand A. chinensisvar.chinensisare the most relevant hosts.The pathogen is subject to emergency measures aiming to prevent further spread of the pathogen in the EU. The most likely pathway for introduction ofthe bacteriumis through the transport of infected plants for planting and pollen. Once introduced, further natural spread is expected to occur rapidly. Itis most easily detectedby visual examination, although other bacteria can cause similar symptoms. Hence, it needs to be followed by sampling and laboratory identification.