Dickeya dianthicola has been reported in four more states (Indiana, Missouri, Michigan, and Texas). Using PCR test results and North American Certified Seed Potato Health Certificates to track Lot no., Dickeya dianthicola has been reported in 16 states (DE, FL, MD, MA, NJ, NY, NC, PA, RI, VA, WV, OH, IN, MO, MI, and TX) on at least nine potato varieties to date in 2016. These varieties include: ‘Reba’, ‘Superior’, ‘Vivaldi’, ‘Norwis’, ‘Snowden’, ‘Yukon Gold’, ‘Beacon Chipper’, ‘Kennebec’, and ‘Atlantic’. Test results and additional information are still forthcoming. Known sources of infested seed have originated from at least two suppliers in Canada and 11 seed suppliers in Maine. In some cases, multiple varieties of Dickeya-infested seed have originated from the same source in Maine. Potato growers, crop consultants, and Extension personnel in states which grow and are still harvesting potatoes from Maine or New Brunswick, Canada should remain vigilant by scouting their fields for Dickeya symptoms, particularly those varieties which have tested positive for Dickeya, on a regular basis and by submitting any suspect samples for diagnostic testing.
Dickeya dianthicola has been detected in the US in the past, and because of this, APHIS just recently announced that the pathogen has been designated as a non-reportable/non-actionable pathogen despite its potential to cause 100% crop loss. A link to the USDA/APHIS website for information on Dickeya dianthicola detection and control can be found here. Importantly, there is no current policy in place designed specifically for regulating and/or controlling Dickeya dianthicola in potato in Maine or Canada.
The best method for keeping your potato operation Dickeya-free is to adopt your own 0% Dickeya-tolerance policy.
