Abstract

ELIZALDE JIMENEZ, Norma Alejandra et al. Risk Assessment of Acidovorax avenae Subsp. citrulli Associated to Watermelon Seed Imported to Mexico. Rev. mex. fitopatol [online]. 2011, vol.29, n.2, pp.133-145. ISSN 2007-8080.

Acidovorax avenae subsp. citrulli, causing bacterial fruit blotch of watermelon, is considered a pathogen with high potential for destruction capable of causing losses of 100% in nursery or plantation, when it is developed under favorable environmental conditions for their multiplication and dissemination. Therefore, the objective of this research was to analyze the risk of introduction and establishment of A. avenae subsp. citrulli (quarantine pest for Mexico) associated to import seed of watermelon. The assessment was based on the process of risk analysis version 5.02 APHIS-PPQ, modified to evaluate this pathogen, including a geoespacial analysis to determine the potential of establishment of the bacterium in growing areas of watermelon in Mexico using the NAPPFAST system. The results show that the range of total risk of A. avenae subsp. citrulli is high in Mexico, obtaining a value of 12 points accumulated on the risk elements categorized. The growing areas of watermelon located in the states of Yucatan, Quintana Roo, Campeche, Tabasco, and Southern veracruz, are at high risk of establishment, because the climatic conditions favor infection by the bacterium during May and June, when the crop is susceptible. Whereas the watermelon-producing areas in the states of Sinaloa, Durango, Zacatecas, Mexico, Hidalgo, Queretaro, Michoacan, Guanajuato, Tlaxcala, and Puebla, have low risk of establishment. The adoption of phytosanitary measures such as the treatment of the seed with peroxyacetic acid, to minimize this risk is widely recommended.

Keywords : Citrullus lanatus; quarantine pest; establishment areas; potential.