Alarm in Saxony: Plant disease Stolbur spreads rapidly!

Alarm in Saxony: Plant disease Stolbur spreads rapidly!

Sachsen, Deutschland - Agriculture in Germany is confronted with a serious challenge: the plant disease Stolbur, triggered by the reeds glass wi cigade, is spreading rapidly. Current reports show that Saxony in particular is affected by these developments. In several cases, both the pathogen Stolbur and the carrier insect SBR were detected, which heats up the concerns of the local farmers. A first economic damage has already become known, and the Ministry of Agriculture fears an increase in damage in the coming months, even if the situation in Saxony is not yet comparable to the federal states such as Baden-Württemberg, such as time Online reported.

In fact, the reed glass wi cigade makes life difficult for the domestic vegetable farmers. The small insects suck on the plants and transmit the harmful bacteria, which leads to massive earnings failures. Sugar beet and potatoes in particular are the focus of the threat. According to a recent report by [Tagesschau] (https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/badenwuerttemberg/swr-ernste-drawung-flanz-fuer-massive harvest, farmers in Baden-Württemberg can count on similar developments in Baden-Württemberg, while in Saxony threaten.

The spread of the zikade

originally introduced from France, the reed glass-winged culinary cicade has spread all over Germany since 2018. From Baden-Württemberg it spreads via Rhineland-Palatinate, Bavaria, Hesse, Lower Saxony to Saxony-Anhalt. In the 2024 growth season, 85,000 hectares of sugar beet and 22,000 hectares of potatoes were affected, which led to significant loss of quality and earnings. The zikade is unmistakable-at the pilot flight from May there is a great risk that it will fly to agricultural areas, as the BMEL emphasizes.

As far as the forecasts are concerned, the problem shows itself in a dark light. Hot and dry weather favors the multiplication of the zikade, which gives farmers even less scope for their cultivation plans. As the Ministry reports, it is urgently necessary to take preventive measures in order to contain the spread. This includes not planting winter wheat after growing sugar beet and potatoes.

preventive measures and research

The use of certain pesticides with emergency approvals is only possible in defined regions if the responsible state office has accessed it. In view of the severity of the situation, spokesman for the association call for regular approvals for effective pesticides and increased research in resistance breeding. Because the pathogens themselves are harmless to humans, but do not reach the market and thus endanger agricultural care.

Developments around Stolbur and the reed glass floral culinary cicade have made the farmers on alert. The coming months will be decisive to save the harvest yields and to stop the spread of this pest. The farmers must now have a good hand to make the right decisions and to adhere to the recommendations of the experts. At a time when the security of supply again increases more, our domestic vegetable farmers face a decisive challenge. It remains to be hoped that effective solutions will soon be available and that the danger can be contained.