Country: United States

Title: Detection of Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2 in New York Greenhouse

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Report:

The Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Center for Plant Health Science and Technology laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland, confirmed Ralstonia solanacearumrace 3 biovar 2 in geraniums from one commercial greenhouse in New York State, in rooted cuttings of the Americana Coral variety on December 31, 2003, and in direct-ship material of the Americana Bright Red variety on January 2, 2004. The greenhouse had received both varieties in infected propagative material from the Goldsmith Plants, Inc. facilities in Guatemala. The rooted plants were received via Glass Corners Greenhouse in Michigan, where this pathogen was eradicated earlier in 2003; however, the New York State greenhouse was not implicated earlier in 2003. Between January and May 2003, geraniums infected with this bacterium caused the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to place holds on 921 greenhouses in 47 States, resulting in the finding of the bacterium and destruction of close to two million plants (mostly geraniums) in 127 facilities. 

Goldsmith Plants Inc. has voluntarily quarantined all of its greenhouses in Guatemala and suspended shipments of geranium cuttings from the Goldsmith facility. APHIS is in the process of notifying Guatemala that further importations of geranium cuttings from the facility will be prohibited until further notice. APHIS is planning to inspect the facility and prescribe remediation measures prior to allowing importations to resume. Hold orders also have been placed on geraniums at Glass Corners Greenhouse and the New York State greenhouse until suspect plants are destroyed and the greenhouses disinfected. 

Approximately 300-400 customers have already received geraniums of the suspect varieties from Goldsmith's facility in Guatemala this growing season. APHIS, in cooperation with State Departments of Agriculture, are notifying customers and assuring appropriate actions are taken to destroy suspect plants and disinfect facilities. The distributor is offering to reimburse greenhouse owners for the two varieties mentioned above, as well as Cherry Rose II, which was also produced in the same Guatemalan facility. PPQ believes these actions will allow geranium producers to be back in business as soon as the shipments are located and destroyed.

 

Posted Date: Jan. 5, 2004, 9 a.m.