Identification of the pathotype of Synchytrium endobioticum,causal agent of potato wart disease,present in Georgia

Potato wart is one of the most important quarantine diseases of potato in the world. In Georgia, symptoms of wart were first seen in 2009–2013 during observations on potato in home gardens in Khulo district, although they may have been present since 2006. However, potato wart presence was only confirmed by PCR in 2013. Isolates pw13N and pw13 of Synchytrium endobioticum collected from the infested area of the village Didadjara, Khulo municipality were tested using laboratories in Georgia and the Netherlands in the framework of collaboration between scientists of Batumi State University and the National Plant Protection organization of the Netherlands. Additionally, pot tests were carried out in Georgia. Based on the results obtained, the pathotype found in Georgia is not known from Europe, and based on its reactions this pathotype resembles pathotype 38 (Nev?ehir) detected in (the non‐European part of) Turkey.