‘Reba’ potato seed (lot # 2015-3100460-022, Elite 3) certified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Grand Falls office in New Brunswick has tested positive for Dickeya dianthicola in New Jersey this summer. The same lot of seed was also shipped to PA. This is the first report of potato testing positive for Dickeya dianthicola in NJ from a Canadian source. Importantly, Dickeya-infested ‘Reba’ seed has also been shipped from different sources in Maine to multiple states in the mid-Atlantic region this year. All potato growers are encouraged to scout fields and report any suspect plants/tubers. The best method for keeping your potato operation Dickeya-free is to adopt your own 0% Dickeya-tolerance policy.
