Successful eradication of Ralstonia solanacearum from Sweden1

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Abstract
Ralstonia solanacearum was detected in potato tubers from two separate localities in southern Sweden over the period 1972/1977. Investigations were made to trace the origin of the pathogen. All infected tubers were found to be produced in irrigated fields. Solanum dulcamara, growing close to or in stream water used for irrigation, was found to be infected. Small roots growing in the water contained high populations of R. solanacearum. Infected plants were located downstream where a potato industry had formerly been situated. Stream water from both outbreak localities was found to be contaminated. A programme to eradicate S. dulcamara growing in the contaminated stream Pinnån was started in the late 1970s. Exemption was given for the herbicide glyphosate which was used, together with mechanical treatment, along a distance of 30 km. The areas infested in the 1970s have recently been screened again for R. solanacearum in S. dulcamara and in stream water and the bacterium has not been detected. A survey of streams and sewage dams near potato processing plants, and of streams used for irrigation, has been made in southern Sweden without any detection of R. solanacearum. Selected lots of seed potatoes have been tested for latent infections in 1995 and 1996. All samples were found negative. R. solanacearum has been successfully eradicated from Sweden.