Candidatus
Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso), a pathogen of concern to the potato industry, which causes zebrachip disease, is vectored by the tomato/potato psyllid [
Bactericera cockerelli
(Šulc)]. This study investigated whether
Lycium ferocissimum
acts as an overwintering green bridge enabling pathogen survival, while potatoes are absent. The potential of
L. ferocissimum
to act as a green bridge for other pathogens was also investigated. African boxthorn leaf samples were taken in Feb, Mar, and Apr 2023 in Canterbury, New Zealand, and endophytes were isolated and cultured. DNA was extracted from these pure-cultured endophytes as well as from leaves. Molecular methods were used to identify the cultured endophytes and to determine the presence of CLso. This study found several potentially pathogenic endophytes including
Alternaria porri, Stemphylium eturmiunum
,
Stemphylium vesicarium, Pseudomonas
spp.,
Erwinia
spp.
, Pantoea
sp.
, and Candidatus
Liberibacter solanacearum. The percentage of leaves which tested positive for CLso increased from 2% in Feb 2023 to 39% in Apr 2023. CLso was found in leaves without evidence of psyllid feeding, which may indicate systemic infection of African Boxthorn, suggesting the plant acts as a green bridge plant. It is highly recommended that this plant be eradicated within the vicinity of potatoes and other Solanaceous crops.