Current situation and characterization of P seudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae on kiwifruit in G alicia (northwest S pain)

Bacterial canker of kiwifruit, caused by P seudomonas syringae pv . actinidiae ( P sa), is a disease that is spreading rapidly in several kiwifruit‐producing countries, causing significant economic losses. In 2011, it was detected for the first time in S pain, in the south of G alicia (northwest S pain). Kiwifruit orchards were therefore inspected and sampled in 2011 and 2012 to determine the pathogen distribution, and the isolates obtained were characterized by morphology, fatty acids profile, biochemical tests and molecular techniques. Isolates were obtained from A ctinidia deliciosa ‘ H ayward’ (from leaves, canes, flower buds, fruits and roots), from A . deliciosa ‘ S ummer’, from A ctinidia chinensis ‘ J in T ao’ (from canes and leaves) and from A . chinensis pollinator ‘ B elén’ (from canes). Results of the analysis of the cfl gene (phytotoxin production‐related), the tox–arg K gene cluster and phylogenetic analysis of the cts gene demonstrated that all P sa isolates from northwest S pain correspond to the P sa3 population, which includes strains of haplotype 2. This is the first record of P sa3 and haplotype 2 in S pain.