NAME OF THE ORGANISM: Fusarium (anamorphic genus) (1FUSAG)
GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE PEST
Name as submitted in the project specification (if different to the preferred name):
Fusarium spp.
Pest category:
Fungi
1- Identity of the pest/Level of taxonomic listing:
Is the organism clearly a single taxonomic entity and can it be adequately distinguished from other entities of the same rank?
Yes
Is the pest defined at the species level or lower?:
No
Can listing of the pest at a taxonomic level higher than species be supported by scientific reasons or can species be identified within the taxonomic rank which are the (main) pests of concern?
- No: Ornamental sector
Is it justified that the pest is listed at a taxonomic rank below species level?
Not relevant
Conclusion:
- Not candidate: Ornamental sector
Justification (if necessary):
In the RNQP Questionnaire, for the 'Oil and Fibre plant' Sector, no EU MS justified a listing at a higher level than the Species level. CZ proposed to only list Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Lini on Linum usitatissimum. The Agricultural species SEWG considered that at least three species could infect Linum usitatissimum: Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lini, Fusarium equiseti and Fusarium avenaceum.
For the 'Vegetable propagating and planting material (other than seeds)' Sector, FR is the only EU MS requiring, for Asparagus officinalis, to keep such a listing (without any justification). Experts agreed with this proposal for Asparagus officinalis, based on the publication by Gossmann et al. (2001) showing that more than 15 Fusarium species are involved. Nine of them are of phytopathological relevance: F. acuminatum [Gibberella acuminata], F. avenaceum [G. avenacea], F. culmorum, F. oxysporum, F. proliferatum, F. redolens [F. oxysporum var. redolens], F. sambucinum [G. pulicaris], F. solani and F. subglutinans [G. fujikuroi var. subglutinans. The listing at a higher level than the species level is justified on Asparagus officinalis by the difficulty to differentiate them soundly, unless by molecular tools. For cucurbits, there is generally one main Fusarium oxysporum forma specialis for each host species. In aubergine, it is mainly Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melongenae. For cucurbits and aubergine the listing at a higher level than the species level is not justified.
For the 'Seed potato' Sector, experts agreed that, even F. solani var. coeruleum, F. sulphureum (=F. sambucinum) and F. avenaceum are the main encountered species in potato, there are many other species present in the soil (some are not pathogenic directly). More investigations and efforts to diagnose pest at the species level is needed. This would be necessary for a listing at the species level. Experts concluded that, as long as measures are only based on symptoms for this pest, a listing at the genus level is appropriate.
For the ornamental sector, no EU Member State considered this entry as important in the replies to the RNQP Questionnaire and gave justification(s) for a listing at a higher level than the species level. This entry will be covered by the 'substantially free from' requirement that will remain in the Ornamental EU Marketing Directives.
For the 'Vegetable propagating and planting material (other than seeds)' Sector, FR is the only EU MS requiring, for Asparagus officinalis, to keep such a listing (without any justification). Experts agreed with this proposal for Asparagus officinalis, based on the publication by Gossmann et al. (2001) showing that more than 15 Fusarium species are involved. Nine of them are of phytopathological relevance: F. acuminatum [Gibberella acuminata], F. avenaceum [G. avenacea], F. culmorum, F. oxysporum, F. proliferatum, F. redolens [F. oxysporum var. redolens], F. sambucinum [G. pulicaris], F. solani and F. subglutinans [G. fujikuroi var. subglutinans. The listing at a higher level than the species level is justified on Asparagus officinalis by the difficulty to differentiate them soundly, unless by molecular tools. For cucurbits, there is generally one main Fusarium oxysporum forma specialis for each host species. In aubergine, it is mainly Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melongenae. For cucurbits and aubergine the listing at a higher level than the species level is not justified.
For the 'Seed potato' Sector, experts agreed that, even F. solani var. coeruleum, F. sulphureum (=F. sambucinum) and F. avenaceum are the main encountered species in potato, there are many other species present in the soil (some are not pathogenic directly). More investigations and efforts to diagnose pest at the species level is needed. This would be necessary for a listing at the species level. Experts concluded that, as long as measures are only based on symptoms for this pest, a listing at the genus level is appropriate.
For the ornamental sector, no EU Member State considered this entry as important in the replies to the RNQP Questionnaire and gave justification(s) for a listing at a higher level than the species level. This entry will be covered by the 'substantially free from' requirement that will remain in the Ornamental EU Marketing Directives.
HOST PLANT N°1: Gerbera (1GEBG) for the Ornamental sector.
Origin of the listing:
Commission Directive 93/49/EEC
Plants for planting:
Plants intended for planting
CONCLUSION ON THE STATUS:
Disqualified: No EU Member State considered this entry as important in the answers to the RNQP Questionnaire and gave justification(s) for a listing at a higher level than the species level. This entry will be covered by the 'Substantially free from' requirement that will remain in the Ornamental EU Marketing Directives.
8 - Tolerance level:
Is there a need to change the Tolerance level:
No
Proposed Tolerance levels:
Delisting.
9 - Risk management measures:
Is there a need to change the Risk management measure:
No
Proposed Risk management measure:
Delisting.
REFERENCES: