OCCURRENCE AND SPREAD OF FIRE BLIGHT (ERWINIA AMYLOVORA) IN HUNGARY (1996–1998). MANAGEMENT OF THE DISEASE

Fire blight caused by Erwinia amylovora was first detected in 1996 in Hungary.
The intensive survey performed in 1996–1998 showed that the incidence of fire blight was different in the country.
In 1996 the disease was concentrated in Békés, Bács-Kiskun and Csongrád counties.
Isolated infection foci, however, were also found in Baranya county.
In 1997 and in 1998, further spread of the disease was registered.
Only 2 of the 19 counties could be considered as free from the disease.

The pathogen attacked each of the nine major host plants.
The majority of the plants infected were quince, apple and pear.
During the eradication campaign in 1996, more than 60,000 trees had been uprooted and destroyed across the country.
Eradication was performed partly by special brigades and partly with the participation of growers.

The pathogen most likely entered Hungary by drifting from Romania and Yugoslavia during the previous two or three years.
For the interior areas of the country, introduction through nursery stock and, possibly, infested tools as well as wind and insect movement cannot be excluded.
Major measures to control the disease are discussed.

VIII International Workshop on Fire Blight

J. Németh

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1999.489.27