| Legend |
|---|
| Justification for qualification based on EPPO PM 4 Standards |
| Justification for disqualification |
| Additional or non-conclusive information |
| Standard text |
NAME OF THE ORGANISM: Longidorus elongatus (LONGEL)
GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE PEST
Name as submitted in the project specification (if different):
Pest category:
Nematoda
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?:
Yes
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?
- Not relevant: Forest reproductive material sector
If necessary, please list the species:
-
Is it justified that the pest is listed at a taxonomic rank below species level?
Not relevant
Conclusion:
- Candidate: Forest reproductive material sector
Justification (if necessary):
-
2 – Status in the EU:
Is this pest already a quarantine pest for the whole EU?
No
Presence in the EU:
Yes
List of countries (EPPO Global Database):
Austria (2002); Belgium (2002); Bulgaria (2002); Czech Republic (2002); Denmark (2002); Estonia (2002); Finland (2002); France (2002); Germany (2002); Greece (2002); Hungary (2002); Ireland (2002); Italy (2002); Latvia (2002); Netherlands (2002); Poland (2012); Portugal (2002); Romania (2002); Slovakia (2002); Spain (2002); Sweden (2002)
Conclusion:
Candidate
Justification (if necessary):
Data of the presence of this pest on the EU territory are available in EPPO Global Database (https://gd.eppo.int/).
HOST PLANT N°1: Populus (1POPG) for the Forest reproductive material sector.
Origin of the listing:
New proposal
Plants for planting:
Plants intended for planting
3 - Is the pest already listed in a PM4 standard on the concerned host plant?
Yes
Conclusion:
Evaluation continues
Justification (if necessary):
EPPO Standards PM 4/33 Certification scheme for poplar recommends that soil should be tested for the presence of virus-vector nematodes, including Longidorus. Longidorus elongatus is listed as a vector of tomato black ring virus.
In the responses to the questionnaire, DE and NL questioned the classification of organisms with vector properties as RNQP when not causing any direct impact. The methodology developed during the RNQP Project part I indicated that ‘Impact of vectors pathogens combinations may need to be considered as well as direct impact’. According to Regulation 2016/2031, Annex I, section 4 'Criteria to identify pests which qualify as a Union regulated non-quarantine pest' (as referred to in Articles 36 and 38), the ‘effects on the establishment, spread and impact of other pests, for example due to the capacity of the pest concerned to act as a vector for other pests’ should be considered for economic impact. According to ISPM 21, Section 3.3.1, ‘The ability to act as a vector for other pests may nevertheless be a relevant factor.’ Although, opportunity of listing such pests in the EU regulation is a decision by risk managers, EPPO had a general discussion in the Fruit SEWG on this issue.
NL also argued that the pest was soilborne and present in production areas. However, experts considered plants for planting may be moved with soil. The EPPO Panel on Quarantine Pests for Forestry suggested that further assessment is performed regarding the economic impact on poplar.
The EPPO Panel on Quarantine Pests for Forestry suggested that further assessment is performed regarding the economic impact on poplar. Assessment of the relative importance of pathways was adjusted in line with the conclusion reached for fruit tree hosts.
In the responses to the questionnaire, DE and NL questioned the classification of organisms with vector properties as RNQP when not causing any direct impact. The methodology developed during the RNQP Project part I indicated that ‘Impact of vectors pathogens combinations may need to be considered as well as direct impact’. According to Regulation 2016/2031, Annex I, section 4 'Criteria to identify pests which qualify as a Union regulated non-quarantine pest' (as referred to in Articles 36 and 38), the ‘effects on the establishment, spread and impact of other pests, for example due to the capacity of the pest concerned to act as a vector for other pests’ should be considered for economic impact. According to ISPM 21, Section 3.3.1, ‘The ability to act as a vector for other pests may nevertheless be a relevant factor.’ Although, opportunity of listing such pests in the EU regulation is a decision by risk managers, EPPO had a general discussion in the Fruit SEWG on this issue.
NL also argued that the pest was soilborne and present in production areas. However, experts considered plants for planting may be moved with soil. The EPPO Panel on Quarantine Pests for Forestry suggested that further assessment is performed regarding the economic impact on poplar.
The EPPO Panel on Quarantine Pests for Forestry suggested that further assessment is performed regarding the economic impact on poplar. Assessment of the relative importance of pathways was adjusted in line with the conclusion reached for fruit tree hosts.
4 - Are the listed plants for planting the main* pathway for the "pest/host/intended use" combination? (*: significant compared to others):
No
Conclusion:
Not candidate
Justification:
Longidorus elongatus has an extensive host range, including Fragaria, Populus, Pyrus, Ribes, Rubus and Vitis (CABI, 2021; Kornobis, 2021). However, presence in fruit trees may reflect the presence of host grasses in the orchards (CABI, 2021). Barsi & de Luca (2006) reports L. elongatus to be isoltaed from Poplar rhizosphere.
The nematode is actively moving < 1m per year. Consequently, the main pathway for dispersal is via soil, growth medium, soil attached to roots, etc. Dissemination of the virus can occur if nematode vectors are dispersed with soil movements caused by rain or erosion. Nematodes may be carried in the soil adhering to farm equipment and machinery or, occasionally, to the feet of birds and other animals. Some nematodes can also be dispersed by wind-blown soil dust; however, this is unlikely for longidorids which generally do not withstand desiccation (EFSA PLH Panel, 2013).
Long-distance dispersal of longidorids occurs when plants intended for planting (e.g. nursery stock) with soil adhering to the roots are harvested from infested fields and transported to new areas (EFSA PLH Panel, 2013). When moved with naked roots, plants for planting is not a pathway.
This nematode is relatively widespread. However, it is not known whether it is already present in most fields:
In all Austrian winegrowing regions soil samples were taken from viticultural as well as agricultural areas and tested for nematodes of the family Longidoridae. To obtain a complete overview of the distribution of Longidoridae, samples were also taken from the riparian forests along the rivers Danube and March. The species L. elongatus was reported to be the most widespread Longidorus species in Austria, and is particularly common in northern European countries e.g. Belgium, Finland, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, United-Kingdom; and present in several locations in Northern Italy, Hungary, Slovakia and Switzerland (Tiefenbrunner et al., 2011).
In Spain, L. elongatus is reported from Andalucia, Castilla y Leon, Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura and Madrid (SEF, 2023).
The Fruit SEWG considered (for other fruit hosts) that this free living nematode was very vulnerable. Even when plants for planting are cultivated in the field, new substrate is generally used for repotting. The substrate used is most often cleaned/steamed, bought from professional operators, and the risk that these nematodes are transported with plants for planting is considered limited. A similar conclusion can be reached for Populus.
Considering production practices and uncertainty on distribution, it is concluded that plants for planting should not be considered a significant pathway.
The nematode is actively moving < 1m per year. Consequently, the main pathway for dispersal is via soil, growth medium, soil attached to roots, etc. Dissemination of the virus can occur if nematode vectors are dispersed with soil movements caused by rain or erosion. Nematodes may be carried in the soil adhering to farm equipment and machinery or, occasionally, to the feet of birds and other animals. Some nematodes can also be dispersed by wind-blown soil dust; however, this is unlikely for longidorids which generally do not withstand desiccation (EFSA PLH Panel, 2013).
Long-distance dispersal of longidorids occurs when plants intended for planting (e.g. nursery stock) with soil adhering to the roots are harvested from infested fields and transported to new areas (EFSA PLH Panel, 2013). When moved with naked roots, plants for planting is not a pathway.
This nematode is relatively widespread. However, it is not known whether it is already present in most fields:
In all Austrian winegrowing regions soil samples were taken from viticultural as well as agricultural areas and tested for nematodes of the family Longidoridae. To obtain a complete overview of the distribution of Longidoridae, samples were also taken from the riparian forests along the rivers Danube and March. The species L. elongatus was reported to be the most widespread Longidorus species in Austria, and is particularly common in northern European countries e.g. Belgium, Finland, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, United-Kingdom; and present in several locations in Northern Italy, Hungary, Slovakia and Switzerland (Tiefenbrunner et al., 2011).
In Spain, L. elongatus is reported from Andalucia, Castilla y Leon, Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura and Madrid (SEF, 2023).
The Fruit SEWG considered (for other fruit hosts) that this free living nematode was very vulnerable. Even when plants for planting are cultivated in the field, new substrate is generally used for repotting. The substrate used is most often cleaned/steamed, bought from professional operators, and the risk that these nematodes are transported with plants for planting is considered limited. A similar conclusion can be reached for Populus.
Considering production practices and uncertainty on distribution, it is concluded that plants for planting should not be considered a significant pathway.
5 - Economic impact:
Are there documented reports of any economic impact on the host?
No
Justification:
In general, Longidorus spp. and Xiphinema spp. can cause direct feeding damage which can result in yield loss. However, there are many factors affecting the level of impact to the yield. The main factors include (but not limited to) infestation level, host, maturity of host, virus presence and external stresses. The potential damage from nepoviruses is typically of greater concern than direct nematode feeding.
L. elongatus is reported to vector tomato black ring virus (TBRV) and raspberry ringspot virus (RRV) (Taylor & Brown, 1997).
Although there is evidence that L. elongatus has been isolated from the rhizosphere of poplars and that the transmission of viruses is likely due to its sucking activity, there is insufficient evidence that TBRV and RRV occur and cause damage on poplars at all.
L. elongatus is reported to vector tomato black ring virus (TBRV) and raspberry ringspot virus (RRV) (Taylor & Brown, 1997).
Although there is evidence that L. elongatus has been isolated from the rhizosphere of poplars and that the transmission of viruses is likely due to its sucking activity, there is insufficient evidence that TBRV and RRV occur and cause damage on poplars at all.
What is the likely economic impact of the pest irrespective of its infestation source in the absence of phytosanitary measures? (= official measures)
Is the economic impact due to the presence of the pest on the named host plant for planting, acceptable to the propagation and end user sectors concerned?
Is there unacceptable economic impact caused to other hosts (or the same host with a different intended use) produced at the same place of production due to the transfer of the pest from the named host plant for planting?
Conclusion:
Not candidate
Justification:
6 - Are there feasible and effective measures available to prevent the presence of the pest on the plants for planting at an incidence above a certain threshold (including zero) to avoid an unacceptable economic impact as regards the relevant host plants?
Conclusion:
Justification:
7- Is the quality of the data sufficient to recommend the pest to be listed as a RNQP?
Conclusion:
Justification:
CONCLUSION ON THE STATUS:
Disqualified: plants for planting not considered as a significant pathway and no report of economic impact by the nematode or the viruses vectored on this host.
8 - Tolerance level:
Is there a need to change the Tolerance level:
No (new regulation proposal)
Proposed Tolerance levels:
No listing.
9 - Risk management measures:
Is there a need to change the Risk management measure:
No
Proposed Risk management measure:
No listing.
REFERENCES:
- CABI (2021) Longidorus elongatus (needle nematode). CABI digital library (accessed 24/October/2024). https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/cabicompendium.31258
- EFSA PLH Panel (EFSA Panel on Plant Health) (2013) Scientific opinion on the risk to plant health posed by Arabis mosaic virus, Raspberry ringspot virus, Strawberry latent ringspot virus and Tomato black ring virus to the EU territory with the identification and evaluation of risk reduction options. EFSA Journal 2013;11(10):3377, 83 pp.doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2013.3377.
- Kornobis F (2021) New data on three plant-parasitic nematode species of the genus Longidorus (Nematoda: Longidoridae) from Poland. Journal of Plant Protection Research 61(3), 273-279.
- SEF (2023) Longidorus atenuatus, L. elongatus y L. macrosomar. En “Patógenos de plantas descritos en España”. Sociedad Española de Fitopatología.
- Taylor CE & Brown DJF (1997) Nematode Vectors of Plant Viruses. Wallingford, UK: CAB International, pp.1-286
- Tiefenbrunner W, Gangl H, Leitner G, Riedle-Bauer M & Tiefenbrunner A (2011) Verbreitung und Häufigkeit wurzelparasitärer Nematoden der Familie Longidoridae in den Weinbauregionen Österreichs. Mitteilungen Klosterneuburg 61, 121-144.