Jalakasurma levikust ja ohtlikkusest Eestis

This review provides an overview of and describes the current situation of Dutch elm disease (DED), which is one of the most devastating diseases for elms worldwide and in Estonia. It is known that in Estonia DED’s agent Ophiostoma ulmi has been damaging elms since the 1930s. Today a new species Ophiostoma novo-ulmi is considered to be an agent of DED. Since 2013 the current epidemic has been recorded in most of the counties of Estonia. The both known DED agents, Ophiostoma novo-ulmi subsp. novo-ulmi and O. novo-ulmi subsp. americana were molecularly detected on Ulmus spp. Additionally, one hybrid pathogen of the subspecies (americana x novo-ulmi) was identified in northern Estonia. Also, the health status of elms and the potential vector agents of the pathogen are discussed and recommendations for disease management are provided.