<i>Xylella fastidiosa</i> in Olive: A Review of Control Attempts and Current Management

• Main Authors: Massimiliano Morelli, José Manuel García-Madero, Ángeles Jos, Pasquale Saldarelli, Crescenza Dongiovanni, Magdalena Kovacova, Maria Saponari, Alberto Baños Arjona, Evelyn Hackl, Stephen Webb, Stéphane Compant
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-08-01
• Series: Microorganisms
• Subjects: bacterial disease; olive outbreak; sustainable control; IPM strategy; <i>Philaenus spumarius</i>
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/9/8/1771

Since 2013, <i>Xylella fastidiosa</i> Wells et al. has been reported to infect several hosts and to be present in different areas of Europe. The main damage has been inflicted on the olive orchards of southern Apulia (Italy), where a severe disease associated with <i>X. fastidiosa</i> subspecies <i>pauca</i> strain De Donno has led to the death of millions of trees. This dramatic and continuously evolving situation has led to European and national (Italian and Spanish) measures being implemented to reduce the spread of the pathogen and the associated olive quick decline syndrome (OQDS). Research has been also carried out to find solutions to better and directly fight the bacterium and its main insect vector, <i>Philaenus spumarius</i> L. In the course of this frantic effort, several treatments based on chemical or biological substances have been tested, in addition to plant breeding techniques and integrated pest management approaches. This review aims to summarize the attempts made so far and describe the prospects for better management of this serious threat, which poses alarming questions for the future of olive cultivation in the Mediterranean basin and beyond.