Notification on the detection of Phytophthora palmivora, the bud rot of palms, in the Republic of South Africa

Publication Date

Tue, 14 Jan 2025, 13:12

Last Updated

Jan. 14, 2025, 1:15 p.m.

Report Number

ZAF-59/3

Country

South Africa

Pest Id

Phytophthora palmivora - (PHYTPL)

Report Status

Final

Hosts

Phytophthora palmivora was detected in commercial papaya orchards in the notified areas.

Pest Status (ISPM 8 - 2021)

Present: not widely distributed and under official control

Geographical Distribution

In August 2024, the NPPOZA confirmed the detection of P. palmivora in two (2) commercial papaya orchards in the Mopani District of the Limpopo Province, and three (3) commercial papaya orchards in the Ehlanzeni District Municipality of the Mpumalanga Province. The NPPOZA in collaboration with different role-players and stakeholders initiated a delimiting survey to determine the extent of the spread of the pest in the country. This was done in accordance with the P. palmivora national action plan and relevant standards. The pest was detected by collecting soil, root and plant samples from 48 trees that showed symptoms. For morphological and cultural analyses, the isolates were grown on Potato Dextrose and were isolated onto selective media PARP (pimarcin, ampicillin, rifampicin, pentachloronitrobenzene) and later transferred to Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) and Water Agar (WA) For molecular characterising, the ITS gene region was sequenced.

Summary

Phytophthora palmivora was detected on five (5) commercial papaya orchards in two (2) District Municipalities of two (2) provinces in South Africa. The official samples were collected after random surveys in collaboration with a research institution and government in the reported areas. The pest was positively identified in 2 commercial papaya orchards in the Mopani District of the Limpopo Province and 3 commercial papaya orchards in the Ehlanzeni District Municipality of the Mpumalanga Province.

Surveys in other parts of the country are conducted where host plants are produced, and no further detections have occurred so far. Phytosanitary measures are being implemented in the affected farms.

Removal and/or movement of host material from affected areas to unaffected in the rest of the Republic of South Africa is restricted in accordance with the Agricultural Pests Act No. 36 of 1983 (Act No.36 of 1983) and Control Measures R.110 as amended to prevent further spread of this pest to other provinces.

Danger

Potential spread or establishment of P. palmivora from infested areas through host material to other areas may negatively affect domestic and international trade, and export potential of relevant host commodities to different countries where it is recognised as a quarantine pest. The South African Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) is continuing with delimiting surveys to determine the extent of the spread. Phytosanitary measures are implemented to restrict the movement of relevant host material from infected to non-infected areas.

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