Phytosanitary status and evolution of the nomenclature of the pathogen Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae (Manns 1909) Willems et al. 1992 causing bacterial stripe and leaf blight of cereals

Accurate species identification of phytopathogens, which is impossible without a clear definition of the name and boundaries of the taxon, is fundamental to the development of effective plant protection measures. The bacterium Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae, which causes bacterial stripe and leaf blight of cereals, poses a serious threat to global grain production by affecting strategically important crops such as wheat, rice, and corn. The history of this phytopathogen's nomenclature clearly demonstrates the influence of molecular genetic methods on the revision of established classifications. The abundance of synonyms poses a challenge to the international control of A. avenae subsp. avenae. The study clarified the nomenclature of the phytopathogen, traced its evolution since its first description in 1909 as Pseudomonas avenae (Manns 1909), and collected detailed information on existing synonyms. The most accurate official scientific name from a phytosanitary point of view was established to be Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae (Manns 1909) Willems et al. 1992. A list of countries for which this phytopathogen is a regulated organism has been compiled. This list contains 15 countries: Burkina Faso, Botswana, Guinea, Egypt, Israel, India, China, Cuba, Malaysia, Mali, Mexico, Nicaragua, Sudan, Taiwan and Ecuador. A. avenae subsp. avenae is regulated on the following products: wheat, rice, corn, sugar cane, oats, barley, sorghum, millet, lawn grasses and other cereals. This study has direct practical value for the phytosanitary service of the Russian Federation as it enables the development of an effective system for inspecting plant products and seed material in international trade, thereby minimizing the risk of spreading dangerous phytopathogens.