Ornamental Rutaceous Plants Xanthomonas citri pv. citri Risk Assessment in Mediterranean

Objectifs

Citrus crops in the Mediterranean region are currently threatened by several plant pathogens. The most important risk factor for the introduction of new pathogens is the importation of infected yet symptomless plant material and plant pathogen vectors. The European “Plant Health Directive” (2000/29CE) and following amendments lists the requirements for the introduction of citrus plants into the EU. It also includes, fruits, representing a probable pathway for the entry of citrus pests. Among those pests listed as quarantine organisms Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc) or X. fuscans subsp. aurantifolii (Xfa), not known to occur in the European community and entire Mediterranean region, are causal agents of Citrus Bacterial Canker (CBC) a devastating disease that severely affects citrus plants and fruits being non-commercial or prematurely dropped. In case of introduction, CBC control would be problematic since antibiotic treatments are not allowed in most Mediterranean Countries and those usually used, such copper compounds, are going to be reduced in the EU in the near future. A way of entry CBC highlighted by EFSA is the introduction of ornamental Rutaceae plants, through both the commercial trade and passenger pathways. Rutaceous ornamental species are extensively grown in Mediterranean countries, in nurseries, orchards and also in private and public gardens. Therefore, citrus relatives (Rutaceae), particularly those not covered by the 2000/29EC directive, represent a threat of the introduction of this pathogen in the Mediterranean basin both by the introduction of infected plants through official or illegal traffic.