scholarly journals How Do Plant Diseases Caused by Xylella fastidiosa Emerge?

Plant Disease ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 99 (11) ◽  
pp. 1457-1467 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo P. P. Almeida ◽  
Leonard Nunney
Keyword(s):  
Xylella Fastidiosa ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Regulatory Agencies ◽  
Disease Emergence ◽  
Number Of Factors ◽  
New Information ◽  
Controversial Topic ◽  
Phylogenetic Framework

Emerging plant diseases frequently have significant economic, environmental, cultural, and social impacts. The prediction of new disease emergence, associated with new pathogens or not, remains a difficult and controversial topic. The main factors driving epidemics are often only identified several years after outbreaks, generally revealing that a limited number of factors are associated with the emergence of specific groups of pathogens. This pattern is illustrated in the insect-borne xylem-limited bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, an organism associated with several new plant diseases in different regions of the globe. Research during the last decade focusing on several severe disease outbreaks has led to substantial changes in our understanding of X. fastidiosa biology, ecology, and evolution. This new information has not only led to new insights into aspects of the biology of this bacterium and its interactions with plant and insect hosts, but also made available a phylogenetic framework that has allowed for better inferences concerning factors leading to the emergence of diseases. Here we identify and discuss these main pathways leading to epidemics caused by X. fastidiosa. Our ultimate goal was to raise critical questions and issues for academics and regulatory agencies alike, since the information generated during the last decade has both raised new questions but also clarified old ones.

scholarly journals Climate tolerances of Philaenus spumarius should be considered in risk assessment of disease outbreaks related to Xylella fastidiosa

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Godefroid ◽  
M. Morente ◽  
T. Schartel ◽  
D. Cornara ◽  
A. Purcell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Xylella Fastidiosa ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Philaenus Spumarius ◽  
Southern Mediterranean ◽  
The Mediterranean

AbstractThe bacterium Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) is an invasive insect-borne pathogen, which causes lethal diseases to important crops including olives, citrus, almonds and grapes as well as numerous forest, ornamental, and uncultivated plants. Outbreaks of Xf-related plant diseases are currently occurring in the Mediterranean region, causing substantial losses to various agricultural sectors. Several models have recently been published to identify which regions are at highest risk in Europe; however, such models did not consider the insect vectors, which constitute the key driver of short-range Xf spread. We fitted bioclimatic species distribution models to depict the macroclimatic preferences of the meadow spittlebug Philaenus spumarius L. (1978) (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae), the major epidemiologically relevant vector currently responsible for Xf spread in the Europe. Many regions of Western Europe and Mediterranean basin are predicted by models as highly climatically suitable for this vector, including all regions where severe Xf have occurred so far. Conversely, the driest and warmest areas of the Mediterranean basin are predicted as little suitable for P. spumarius. Models forecast that agricultural-important parts of the southern Mediterranean area might experience a substantial decrease in climatic suitability for P. spumarius by the period 2040–2060. Areas predicted as highly suitable just for the bacterium but not optimal for this vector are apparently still free of severe Xf outbreaks, suggesting that climate tolerances of P. spumarius might partly explain the current spatial pattern of Xf outbreaks in Europe and should always be considered in further risk assessments.

scholarly journals Identification of an Operon, Pil-Chp, That Controls Twitching Motility and Virulence in Xylella fastidiosa

2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (10) ◽  
pp. 1198-1206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciana Cursino ◽  
Cheryl D. Galvani ◽  
Dusit Athinuwat ◽  
Paulo A. Zaini ◽  
Yaxin Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Xylella Fastidiosa ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Type Iv Pili ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Twitching Motility ◽  
In Planta ◽  
Disease Manifestation ◽  
Phytopathogenic Bacterium ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Genes Encoding

Xylella fastidiosa is an important phytopathogenic bacterium that causes many serious plant diseases, including Pierce's disease of grapevines. Disease manifestation by X. fastidiosa is associated with the expression of several factors, including the type IV pili that are required for twitching motility. We provide evidence that an operon, named Pil-Chp, with genes homologous to those found in chemotaxis systems, regulates twitching motility. Transposon insertion into the pilL gene of the operon resulted in loss of twitching motility (pilL is homologous to cheA genes encoding kinases). The X. fastidiosa mutant maintained the type IV pili, indicating that the disrupted pilL or downstream operon genes are involved in pili function, and not biogenesis. The mutated X. fastidiosa produced less biofilm than wild-type cells, indicating that the operon contributes to biofilm formation. Finally, in planta the mutant produced delayed and less severe disease, indicating that the Pil-Chp operon contributes to the virulence of X. fastidiosa, presumably through its role in twitching motility.

scholarly journals Addressing the New Global Threat of Xylella fastidiosa

2019 ◽  
Vol 109 (2) ◽  
pp. 172-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. P. P. Almeida ◽  
L. De La Fuente ◽  
R. Koebnik ◽  
J. R. S. Lopes ◽  
S. Parnell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Xylella Fastidiosa ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Bacterial Pathogen ◽  
Host Susceptibility ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Open Communication ◽  
Research Themes ◽  
Established Disease ◽  
Olive Trees ◽  
Global Threat

Xylella fastidiosa is one of the most important threats to plant health worldwide. This bacterial pathogen has a long history, causing disease in the Americas on a range of agricultural crops and trees, with severe economic repercussions particularly on grapevine and citrus. In Europe, X. fastidiosa was detected for the first time in 2013 in association with a severe disease affecting olive trees in southern Italy. Subsequent mandatory surveys throughout Europe led to discoveries in France and Spain in various host species and environments. Detection of additional introductions of X. fastidiosa continue to be reported from Europe, for example from northern Italy in late 2018. These events are leading to a sea change in research, monitoring and management efforts as exemplified by the articles in this Focus Issue . X. fastidiosa is part of complex pathosystems together with hosts and vectors. Although certain X. fastidiosa subspecies and environments have been well studied, particularly those that pertain to established disease in North and South America, this represents only a fraction of the existing genetic, epidemiological, and ecological diversity. This Focus Issue highlights some of the key challenges that must be overcome to address this new global threat, recent advances in understanding the pathosystem, and steps toward improved disease control. It brings together the broad research themes needed to address the global threat of X. fastidiosa, encompassing topics from host susceptibility and resistance, genome sequencing, detection methods, transmission by vectors, epidemiological drivers, chemical and biological control, to public databases and social sciences. Open communication and collaboration among scientists, stakeholders, and the general public from different parts of the world will pave the path to novel ideas to understand and combat this pathogen.

scholarly journals Increase in ring width, vessel number and δ18O in olive trees infected with Xylella fastidiosa

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (11) ◽  
pp. 1583-1594
Author(s):  
Erika Sabella ◽  
Samuele Moretti ◽  
Holger Gärtner ◽  
Andrea Luvisi ◽  
Luigi De Bellis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Xylella Fastidiosa ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Susceptible Cultivar ◽  
Water Conductivity ◽  
Leaf Transpiration ◽  
Leaf Level ◽  
Olive Quick Decline Syndrome ◽  
Olive Trees ◽  
Tree Stem

Abstract Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) Wells, Raju et al., 1986 is a bacterium that causes plant diseases in the Americas. In Europe, it was first detected on the Salento Peninsula (Italy), where it was found to be associated with the olive quick decline syndrome. Here, we present the results of the first tree-ring study of infected and uninfected olive trees (Olea europaea L.) of two different cultivars, one resistant and one susceptible, to establish the effects induced by the spread of the pathogen inside the tree. Changes in wood anatomical characteristics, such as an increase in the number of vessels and in ring width, were observed in the infected plants of both the cultivars Cellina di Nardò (susceptible to Xf infection) and Leccino (resistant to Xf infection). Thus, whether infection affects the mortality of the tree or not, the tree shows a reaction to it. The presence of occlusions was detected in the wood of both 4-year-old branches and the tree stem core. As expected, the percentage of occluded vessels in the Xf-susceptible cultivar Cellina di Nardò was significantly higher than in the Xf-resistant cultivar Leccino. The δ 18O of the 4-year-old branches was significantly higher in infected trees of both cultivars than in noninfected trees, while no variations in δ 13C were observed. This suggests a reduction in leaf transpiration rates during infection and seems to be related to the occlusions observed in rings of the 4-year-old branches. Such occlusions can determine effects at leaf level that could influence stomatal activity. On the other hand, the significant increase in the number of vessels in infected trees could be related to the tree’s attempt to enhance water conductivity in response to the pathogen-induced vessel occlusions.

scholarly journals Dynamics of host populations affected by the emerging fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 160801 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benedikt R. Schmidt ◽  
Claudio Bozzuto ◽  
Stefan Lötters ◽  
Sebastian Steinfartz
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Host Population ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Disease Emergence ◽  
Batrachochytrium Salamandrivorans ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Successful Control ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Local Extirpation

Emerging infectious diseases cause extirpation of wildlife populations. We use an epidemiological model to explore the effects of a recently emerged disease caused by the salamander-killing chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans ( Bsal ) on host populations, and to evaluate which mitigation measures are most likely to succeed. As individuals do not recover from Bsal , we used a model with the states susceptible, latent and infectious, and parametrized the model using data on host and pathogen taken from the literature and expert opinion. The model suggested that disease outbreaks can occur at very low host densities (one female per hectare). This density is far lower than host densities in the wild. Therefore, all naturally occurring populations are at risk. Bsal can lead to the local extirpation of the host population within a few months. Disease outbreaks are likely to fade out quickly. A spatial variant of the model showed that the pathogen could potentially spread rapidly. As disease mitigation during outbreaks is unlikely to be successful, control efforts should focus on preventing disease emergence and transmission between populations. Thus, this emerging wildlife disease is best controlled through prevention rather than subsequent actions.

scholarly journals Impact of Xylella fastidiosa subspecies pauca in European olives

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (17) ◽  
pp. 9250-9259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Schneider ◽  
Wopke van der Werf ◽  
Martina Cendoya ◽  
Monique Mourits ◽  
Juan A. Navas-Cortés ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Xylella Fastidiosa ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Disease Spread ◽  
Economic Damage ◽  
Climatic Suitability ◽  
Case Scenario ◽  
Worst Case ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Phytosanitary Measures ◽  
The Impact

Xylella fastidiosa is the causal agent of plant diseases that cause massive economic damage. In 2013, a strain of the bacterium was, for the first time, detected in the European territory (Italy), causing the Olive Quick Decline Syndrome. We simulate future spread of the disease based on climatic-suitability modeling and radial expansion of the invaded territory. An economic model is developed to compute impact based on discounted foregone profits and losses in investment. The model projects impact for Italy, Greece, and Spain, as these countries account for around 95% of the European olive oil production. Climatic suitability modeling indicates that, depending on the suitability threshold, 95.5 to 98.9%, 99.2 to 99.8%, and 84.6 to 99.1% of the national areas of production fall into suitable territory in Italy, Greece, and Spain, respectively. For Italy, across the considered rates of radial range expansion the potential economic impact over 50 y ranges from 1.9 billion to 5.2 billion Euros for the economic worst-case scenario, in which production ceases after orchards die off. If replanting with resistant varieties is feasible, the impact ranges from 0.6 billion to 1.6 billion Euros. Depending on whether replanting is feasible, between 0.5 billion and 1.3 billion Euros can be saved over the course of 50 y if disease spread is reduced from 5.18 to 1.1 km per year. The analysis stresses the necessity to strengthen the ongoing research on cultivar resistance traits and application of phytosanitary measures, including vector control and inoculum suppression, by removing host plants.

scholarly journals Eco-Epidemiological Uncertainties of Emerging Plant Diseases: The Challenge of Predicting Xylella fastidiosa Dynamics in Novel Environments

2020 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 1740-1750
Author(s):  
Flavia Occhibove ◽  
Daniel S. Chapman ◽  
Alexander J. Mastin ◽  
Stephen S. R. Parnell ◽  
Barbara Agstner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Xylella Fastidiosa ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Disease Spread ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Novel Environments ◽  
Epidemiological Characteristics

In order to prevent and control the emergence of biosecurity threats such as vector-borne diseases of plants, it is vital to understand drivers of entry, establishment, and spatiotemporal spread, as well as the form, timing, and effectiveness of disease management strategies. An inherent challenge for policy in combatting emerging disease is the uncertainty associated with intervention planning in areas not yet affected, based on models and data from current outbreaks. Following the recent high-profile emergence of the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa in a number of European countries, we review the most pertinent epidemiological uncertainties concerning the dynamics of this bacterium in novel environments. To reduce the considerable ecological and socio-economic impacts of these outbreaks, eco-epidemiological research in a broader range of environmental conditions needs to be conducted and used to inform policy to enhance disease risk assessment, and support successful policy-making decisions. By characterizing infection pathways, we can highlight the uncertainties that surround our knowledge of this disease, drawing attention to how these are amplified when trying to predict and manage outbreaks in currently unaffected locations. To help guide future research and decision-making processes, we invited experts in different fields of plant pathology to identify data to prioritize when developing pest risk assessments. Our analysis revealed that epidemiological uncertainty is mainly driven by the large variety of hosts, vectors, and bacterial strains, leading to a range of different epidemiological characteristics further magnified by novel environmental conditions. These results offer new insights on how eco-epidemiological analyses can enhance understanding of plant disease spread and support management recommendations. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2020 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY 4.0 International license .

Pecan Bacterial Leaf Scorch, Caused by Xylella fastidiosa, Is Endemic in Georgia Pecan Orchards

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 284-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clive H. Bock ◽  
Jonathan E. Oliver ◽  
Chunxian Chen ◽  
Michael H. Hotchkiss ◽  
Katherine L. Stevenson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Yield Loss ◽  
Xylella Fastidiosa ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
The United States ◽  
Susceptible Cultivar ◽  
Leaf Scorch ◽  
Central Production ◽  
Cape Fear ◽  
Production Areas ◽  
Bacterial Leaf Scorch

Pecan bacterial leaf scorch (PBLS), caused by Xylella fastidiosa, can cause severe disease in some pecan cultivars, resulting in yield loss. Only recently has some information been obtained regarding the distribution and extent of the disease in pecan in any state in the United States. With emphasis on a susceptible cultivar, Cape Fear, we sampled a total of 91 trees in eight orchards from the southwestern and central production areas in Georgia (GA) and found 60.4% of trees sampled infected, most showing symptoms of PBLS. Further multilocus sequence typing from 16 of these trees confirmed presence X. fastidiosa. The results confirm that X. fastidiosa is widespread geographically in GA, and different cultivars may be infected. This is the first definitive report confirming X. fastidiosa causing PBLS in different pecan producing areas and cultivars in GA.

scholarly journals Verticillium Wilt in Oilseed Rape—the Microbiome is Crucial for Disease Outbreaks as Well as for Efficient Suppression

Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 866 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daria Rybakova ◽  
Mariann Wikström ◽  
Fia Birch-Jensen ◽  
Joeke Postma ◽  
Ralf Udo Ehlers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Verticillium Wilt ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Growth Conditions ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Serratia Plymuthica ◽  
Hierarchical Selection

Microbiome management is a promising way to suppress verticillium wilt, a severe disease in Brassica caused by Verticillium longisporum. In order to improve current biocontrol strategies, we compared bacterial Verticillium antagonists in different assays using a hierarchical selection and evaluation scheme, and we integrated outcomes of our previous studies. The result was strongly dependent on the assessment method chosen (in vitro, in vivo, in situ), on the growth conditions of the plants and their genotype. The most promising biocontrol candidate identified was a Brassica endophyte Serratia plymuthica F20. Positive results were confirmed in field trials and by microscopically visualizing the three-way interaction. Applying antagonists in seed treatment contributes to an exceptionally low ecological footprint, supporting efficient economic and ecological solutions to controlling verticillium wilt. Indigenous microbiome, especially soil and seed microbiome, has been identified as key to understanding disease outbreaks and suppression. We suggest that verticillium wilt is a microbiome-driven disease caused by a reduction in microbial diversity within seeds and in the soil surrounding them. We strongly recommend integrating microbiome data in the development of new biocontrol and breeding strategies and combining both strategies with the aim of designing healthy microbiomes, thus making plants more resilient toward soil-borne pathogens.

scholarly journals Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction for One-Hour On-Site Diagnosis of Pierce's Disease of Grape in Early Season Asymptomatic Vines

2002 ◽  
Vol 92 (7) ◽  
pp. 721-728 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. W. Schaad ◽  
D. Opgenorth ◽  
P. Gaush
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Xylella Fastidiosa ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Pierce's Disease ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Pierce’S Disease ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Molecular-based techniques, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), can reduce the time needed for diagnosis of plant diseases when compared with classical isolation and pathogenicity tests. However, molecular techniques still require 2 to 3 days to complete. To the best of our knowledge, we describe for the first time a real-time PCR technique using a portable Smart Cycler for one-hour on-site diagnosis of an asymptomatic plant disease. Pierce's disease (PD) of grape, caused by the fastidious bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, causes serious losses in grapes in California and the southeastern United States. The disease has been difficult to diagnose because typical leaf scorching symptoms do not appear until late (June and after) in the season and the organism is very difficult to isolate early in the season. Sap and samples of macerated chips of secondary xylem from trunks of vines were used in a direct real-time PCR without extraction of DNA. Using two different sets of primers and probe, we diagnosed PD in 7 of 27 vines (26%) from four of six vineyards sampled 10 to 12 days after bud break in Kern, Tulare, and Napa counties of California. The diagnosis was confirmed by isolation of Xylella fastidiosa from two of the original PCR positive samples and later from symptomatic leaf petioles of four out of four vines from one vineyard that were originally PCR positive.

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