Control measures

Ralstonia solanacearum is classified as a quarantine parasite (for which no tolerance is allowed) in most places in the European Union and is therefore subject to mandatory control measures to limit its spread and to eradicate the disease when and where an outbreak is notified.

Integrated pest management and prophylactic measures are the most effective way to reduce the consequences linked to the presence of the disease and to prevent its introduction into pest free areas:

• the use of certified seed potatoes inspected in the field and tested in the laboratory is still the best way of preventing the dissemination of the disease;
• cultivation in a healthy environment: a bacteria-free soil, the effective elimination of weeds and groundkeepers, and soil drainage;
• the use of clean and disinfected agricultural equipment for both cultivation and storage;
• irrigation with non-contaminated water (avoid surface water);
• the introduction of non-host plants, e.g. some cereals (spring barley), some Umbelliferae species (carrots) or flax.