Xylella fastidiosa in Olive in Apulia: Where We Stand

A dramatic outbreak of Xylella fastidiosa decimating olive was discovered in 2013 in Apulia, Southern Italy. This pathogen is a quarantine bacterium in the European Union (EU) and created unprecedented turmoil for the local economy and posed critical challenges for its management. With the new emerging threat to susceptible crops in the EU, efforts were devoted to gain basic knowledge on the pathogen biology, host, and environmental interactions (e.g., bacterial strain(s) and pathogenicity, hosts, vector(s), and fundamental drivers of its epidemics) in order to find means to control or mitigate the impacts of the infections. Field surveys, greenhouse tests, and laboratory analyses proved that a single bacterial introduction occurred in the area, with a single genotype, belonging to the subspecies pauca, associated with the epidemic. Infections caused by isolates of this genotype turned to be extremely aggressive on the local olive cultivars, causing a new disease termed olive quick decline syndrome. Due to the initial extension of the foci and the rapid spread of the infections, eradication measures (i.e., pathogen elimination from the area) were soon replaced by containment measures including intense border surveys of the contaminated area, removal of infected trees, and mandatory vector control. However, implementation of containment measures encountered serious difficulties, including public reluctance to accept control measures, poor stakeholder cooperation, misinformation from some media outlets, and lack of robust responses by some governmental authorities. This scenario delayed and limited containment efforts and allowed the bacterium to continue its rapid dissemination over more areas in the region, as shown by the continuous expansion of the official borders of the infected area. At the research level, the European Commission and regional authorities are now supporting several programs aimed to find effective methods to mitigate and contain the impact of X. fastidiosa on olives, the predominant host affected in this epidemic. Preliminary evidence of the presence of resistance in some olive cultivars represents a promising approach currently under investigation for long-term management strategies. The present review describes the current status of the epidemic and major research achievements since 2013.

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Efficiency and Persistence of Movento® Treatment against Myzus persicae and the Transmission of Aphid-Borne Viruses

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10122747 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 2747

Author(s):

Thomas Armand ◽

Luâna Korn ◽

Elodie Pichon ◽

Marlène Souquet ◽

Mélissandre Barbet ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sugar Beet ◽

Myzus Persicae ◽

High Efficiency ◽

Plant Protection ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Plant Protection Products ◽

Viral Transmission ◽

The European Union ◽

Low Efficiency ◽

The Impact

Neonicotinoids are widely used to protect fields against aphid-borne viral diseases. The recent ban of these chemical compounds in the European Union has strongly impacted rapeseed and sugar beet growing practices. The poor sustainability of other insecticide families and the low efficiency of prophylactic methods to control aphid populations and pathogen introduction strengthen the need to characterize the efficiency of new plant protection products targeting aphids. In this study, the impact of Movento® (Bayer S.A.S., Leverkusen, Germany), a tetrameric acid derivative of spirotetramat, on Myzus persicae and on viral transmission was analyzed under different growing temperatures. The results show (i) the high efficiency of Movento® to protect rapeseed and sugar beet plants against the establishment of aphid colonies, (ii) the impact of temperature on the persistence of the Movento® aphicid properties and (iii) a decrease of approximately 10% of the viral transmission on treated plants. These observations suggest a beneficial effect of Movento® on the sanitary quality of treated crops by directly reducing primary infections and indirectly altering, through aphid mortality, secondary infections on which the spread of disease within field depends. These data constitute important elements for the future development of management strategies to protect crops against aphid-transmitted viruses.

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Path to European quantum unicorns

EPJ Quantum Technology ◽

10.1140/epjqt/s40507-021-00095-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Markku Räsänen ◽

Henrikki Mäkynen ◽

Mikko Möttönen ◽

Jan Goetz

Keyword(s):

Quantum Computing ◽

The United States ◽

Current Status ◽

The European Union ◽

Successful Business ◽

The Creation ◽

Quantum Technology ◽

The Impact ◽

Future Growth ◽

The Eu

AbstractQuantum computing holds the potential to deliver great economic prosperity to the European Union (EU). However, the creation of successful business in the field is challenging owing to the required extensive investments into postdoctoral-level workforce and sophisticated infrastructure without an existing market that can financially support these operations.This commentary paper reviews the recent efforts taken in the EU to foster the quantum-computing ecosystem together with its current status. Importantly, we propose concrete actions for the EU to take to enable future growth of this field towards the desired goals. In particular, we suggest ways to enable the creation of EU-based quantum-computing unicorns which may act as key crystallization points of quantum technology and its commercialization. These unicorns may provide stability to the otherwise scattered ecosystem, thus pushing forward global policies enabling the global spread of EU innovations and technologies.The unicorns may act as a conduit, through which the EU-based quantum ecosystem can stand out from similar ecosystems based in Asia and the United States. Such strong companies are required because of the level of investment currently required in the marketplace. This paper suggests methodologies and best practices that can enhance the probability of the creation of the unicorns.Furthermore, we explore future scenarios, in which the unicorns can operate from the EU and to support the EU quantum ecosystem. This exploration is conducted focusing on the steps to be taken and on the impact the companies may have in our opinion.

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Impact of COVID-19 on the trade of goods and services in Spain

Applied Economic Analysis ◽

10.1108/aea-11-2020-0156 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Asier Minondo

Keyword(s):

Negative Impact ◽

The European Union ◽

Firm Level ◽

Health Crisis ◽

Content Type ◽

Goods And Services ◽

Containment Measures ◽

Trade Of Services ◽

The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on the trade of goods and services in Spain. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses monthly trade data at the product, region and firm level. Findings The COVID-19 crisis has led to the sharpest collapse in the Spanish trade of goods and services in recent decades. The containment measures adopted to arrest the spread of the virus have caused an especially intense fall of trade in services. The large share of transport equipment, capital goods, products that are consumed outdoors (i.e., outdoor goods) and tourism in Spanish exports has made the COVID-19 trade crisis more intense in Spain than in the rest of the European Union. Practical implications The nature of the collapse suggests that trade in goods can recover swiftly when the health crisis ends. However, COVID-19 may have a long-term negative impact on the trade of services that rely on the movement of people. Originality/value It contributes to understand how COVID-19 has affected the trade in goods and services in Spain.

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Physicochemical and Microbiological Water Quality Assessment of Aba Waterside River, Aba, Nigeria

Nigerian Journal of Environmental Sciences and Technology - March 2018 ◽

10.36263/nijest.2019.01.0124 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 142-148

Author(s):

L. O. Bobor ◽

C. M. Umeh

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Drinking Water ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Oxygen Demand ◽

Water Quality Monitoring ◽

Control Measures ◽

Fecal Coliforms ◽

Water Quality Control ◽

Inorganic Substances ◽

The Impact

The indiscriminate disposal of industrial effluents and solid wastes in surface water bodies is detrimental to humans and aquatic organisms. Water quality monitoring is critical to identify pollutants of concern and develop effective management strategies. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the impact of waste disposal on the water quality of Aba Waterside River, Ogbor hill, Aba. Grab samples were collected upstream, midstream and downstream and some physicochemical and microbiological parameters were analyzed in accordance with standard methods for the analysis of water and wastewater. The results were compared with the Nigerian standard for drinking water quality and the national environmental effluent limitation regulations. Turbidity levels (10 -31mg/l) exceeded the maximum permissible levels for drinking water (5mg/l) and may be associated with higher levels of embedded disease-causing microbes and potentially harmful organic and inorganic substances. The biological oxygen demand midstream (1960mg/l) was remarkably high due to the effluent discharged from the abattoirs at that point. Fecal coliforms (3-198MPN/100ml) were detected in all samples, indicating the presence of other potentially harmful microorganisms. The findings of this study indicate that the water is unsuitable for direct drinking water purposes and stringent water quality control measures should be implemented.

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Verticillium Wilt of Olive and Its Control: What Did We Learn during the Last Decade?

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants9060735 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 735 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Nuria Montes-Osuna ◽

Jesús Mercado-Blanco

Keyword(s):

Integrated Management ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Control Measures ◽

Effective Control ◽

Soil Biology ◽

Pests And Diseases ◽

Sensing Technology ◽

Olive Cultivation ◽

Underlying Mechanisms ◽

The Impact

Verticillium (Verticillium dahliae Kleb.) wilt is one of the most devastating diseases affecting olive (Olea europaea L. subsp. europaea var. europaea) cultivation. Its effective control strongly relies on integrated management strategies. Olive cultivation systems are experiencing important changes (e.g., high-density orchards, etc.) aiming at improving productivity. The impact of these changes on soil biology and the incidence/severity of olive pests and diseases has not yet been sufficiently evaluated. A comprehensive understanding of the biology of the pathogen and its populations, the epidemiological factors contributing to exacerbating the disease, the underlying mechanisms of tolerance/resistance, and the involvement of the olive-associated microbiota in the tree’s health is needed. This knowledge will be instrumental to developing more effective control measures to confront the disease in regions where the pathogen is present, or to exclude it from V. dahliae-free areas. This review compiles the most recent advances achieved to understand the olive–V. dahliae interaction as well as measures to control the disease. Aspects such as the molecular basis of the host–pathogen interaction, the identification of new biocontrol agents, the implementation of “-omics” approaches to unravel the basis of disease tolerance, and the utilization of remote sensing technology for the early detection of pathogen attacks are highlighted.

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British-Slovak Foreign Trade Relations: Consequences of Brexit

Marketing and Management of Innovations ◽

10.21272/mmi.2019.3-26 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 341-353

Author(s):

Marcel Kordos

Keyword(s):

European Union ◽

Foreign Trade ◽

Policy Instruments ◽

Current Status ◽

The European Union ◽

Economic Relations ◽

Trade Relations ◽

The Future ◽

The Uk ◽

The Impact

The possibility of the UK's withdrawal from the European Union has never been more realistic and up-to-date since joining the European Communities (EC) as it is today. The UK is facing a unique situation. At present, this depends solely on the capabilities of European and British government officials, who negotiate the terms of withdrawal and future cooperation between the two entities. The main goal of this paper is based on the British – Slovak trade relations development analysis to figure out their impact within the Brexit consequences on the future Slovak economy and its current status in international economic relations. The paper also provides a basic overview of Brexit process and its possible impact on the EU's further functioning. Basic data will be drawn from generally accepted institutions, evaluating the UK and Slovak trade and economic performance. To accomplish this goal, methods such as analysis and comparison to illustrate the UK-Slovak foreign trade development, synthesis and logical deduction to discuss the Brexit impact on Slovak economic environment in the future are to be used; data from scientific and professional publications, periodical and non-periodical press. The paper presents the results of an empirical analysis, which showed that because of the size of economic relations between Slovakia and the United Kingdom and the number of goods and services being exported to the UK, the «hard» Brexit will be very unfavourable for Slovak foreign trade due to the possible tariffs being imposed. The research empirically confirms and theoretically proves that it can cause a significant weakening and slowdown in the Slovak economy. Either way, the upcoming Brexit process, that is the withdrawal of Great Britain from the European Union, would have a major impact not only on British, European but also on the world economy. The impact of Brexit on Slovakia's economy will not only be in reducing the possible growth of the economy, but also in employment and price increases. Keywords: EU single market, Britain's withdrawal from the EU, foreign trade policy instruments analysis, international economics, Slovak economy slowdown prediction, Slovak foreign trade commodity structure analysis.

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Tracking industry responsiveness to COVID-19 – what has happened and what lies ahead

The APPEA Journal ◽

10.1071/aj20050 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 61 (2) ◽

pp. 442

Author(s):

Joelle Mitchell ◽

Derrick O'Keeffe

Keyword(s):

Disease Transmission ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Petroleum Industry ◽

Initial Response ◽

Control Measures ◽

Supply Chain Disruptions ◽

Infection Control Measures ◽

Risk Management Strategies ◽

The Impact ◽

Offshore Petroleum

This study will provide a longitudinal account of how the Australian offshore petroleum industry has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, and how the response has evolved over time, and will provide a regulatory perspective on the future challenges arising from the changes that have occurred during the industry in response to the pandemic. Since March 2020, the National Offshore Safety and Environmental Management Authority has been actively collecting information about the approach taken by the offshore petroleum industry to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The initial response focused on infectious disease control measures, identifying strategies to prevent disease transmission on offshore facilities and to respond should an outbreak occur offshore. The next phase considered the potential consequences of the infection control measures on facility safety and integrity, including the impact of reduced personnel on board on safety critical maintenance activities and emergency response capability, assurance of competence profile requirements being sustained on facilities, the long-term consequences of delayed routine maintenance, supply chain disruptions and access to specialist workforce. It became apparent that a rapid recovery to pre-COVID-19 conditions was unlikely, and the impacts would likely continue for some time; and psychosocial and fatigue risk management strategies were explored. Data collection methods included: surveys of operators, workplace inspections, review of documents and records, interviews with members of the workforce and participation in industry working groups.

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Eu Neonicotinoid Ban Removes Vital Tools in Global Fight Against Pests

Outlooks on Pest Management ◽

10.1564/v29_oct_02 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 29 (5) ◽

pp. 197-200 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Robin Blake

Keyword(s):

European Union ◽

Precautionary Principle ◽

Current Status ◽

Guidance Document ◽

The European Union ◽

The Precautionary Principle ◽

Regulatory Decision ◽

The World ◽

The Impact ◽

The Eu

In May 2018, the European Union (EU) banned all outdoor uses of three neonicotinoid insecticides due to concerns about adverse effects on pollinators following their use. Neonicotinoids continue to be used in other areas of the world such as North America. However, increasing scrutiny following the European Union decision threatens their availability as a control tool for farmers in these regions too. This article aims to provide an update on the current status of neonicotinoids, including a brief overview of the reasons behind the European regulatory decision, alternative control strategies that are available to farmers, how the situation in Europe might influence what will happen in other regions of the world, and what this means for future regulatory decision-making. The author concludes that the recent neonicotinoid ban in the EU represents an overly conservative approach to pesticide regulation, and in using the Draft Bee Guidance Document, one where the majority of pesticides currently on the market will fail. There is no definitive scientific evidence that neonicotinoids are the primary cause of declines in bees, and although banning these insecticides is the factor that humans have the greatest control over, it represents an overly simplistic solution to a very complex problem, and one that alone may not improve bee health. Whilst extreme pressure from environmental NGOs and politicians have undoubtedly helped shape these decisions, it is imperative that the regulatory process allows scientific innovation to help achieve food security and protect the environment. Ruling against recent lawsuits brought by Syngenta and Bayer CropScience to contest the bans on their respective neonicotinoids, the General Court of the European Union, said that the EU's"precautionary principle" meant that the EU could take measures if there was scientific uncertainty about risks to human health or the environment. The precautionary principle lies at the heart of EU regulation and effectively puts the burden of proof to demonstrate that a pesticide poses no unacceptable risk onto the manufacturers. Given that neonicotinoids are insecticides, and insecticides kill insects, it is not difficult to connect how the use of the precautionary principle led to the neonicotinoid ban. However, this principle is at odds with the desire to innovate – the so-called "Innovation principle" – "whenever policy or regulatory decisions are under consideration the impact on innovation as a driver for jobs and growth should be assessed and addressed". The innovation principle and precautionary principle should be complementary, recognising the need to protect society and the environment while also protecting the EU's ability to innovate. Neonicotinoids represent one such innovation where their highly targeted nature, especially as seed treatments, makes them effective within Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, in comparison to alternatives such as pyrethroids, organophosphates and carbamates, that are known to be highly toxic to bees (and other non-target invertebrates) through spray drift. Replacing neonicotinoids with these products will also result in higher overall environmental risks, including risks to taxonomic groups that are not adversely affected by neonicotinoids such as birds, mammals and fish, together with higher risks to humans, particularly applicators. The HFFA report recommends that potential environmental concerns must be balanced against the need to boost agricultural productivity, and if such an assessment results in societal benefits outweighing the costs, then the technology should be applied. The hope is that regulators in other regions of the world will judiciously balance innovation and precaution, and base decisions on science rather than opinion or fear, and thus allow the continued use of neonicotinoids as vital tools in the global fight against crop pests.

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Instant Insights: Fusarium in cereals

10.19103/9781786768933 ◽

2020 ◽

Keyword(s):

Powdery Mildew ◽

Fusarium Head Blight ◽

Fungal Pathogens ◽

Genetic Resistance ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Control Measures ◽

Current Status ◽

Head Blight ◽

Management Plans ◽

The Impact

This specially curated collection features four reviews of current and key research on fusarium in cereal crops. The first chapter describes how progress can be built over current agricultural practices in integrated pest management plans. It also addresses the disease cycle of Fusarium head blight, host–pathogen interactions, genetic resistance, the role of mycotoxins, as well as the impact of the disease on yields and loss of crop quality. The second chapter reviews current research on the main fungal diseases affecting barley, as well as what we know about the mechanisms of barley genetic resistance to fungal pathogens. It features detailed discussions on biotrophic foliar diseases such as stem rust and powdery mildew and necrotrophic diseases such as spot blotch and Fusarium head blight. The third chapter reviews control measures for Fusarium head blight, wheat blast and powdery mildew, including the development of resistant cultivars. The final chapter considers the current status of global wheat production, the impact of crop loss on food security and the emergence of the current regulatory environment surrounding pesticides. It also features discussions on the current status of the global fungicide market.

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Generalized logistic growth modeling of the COVID-19 outbreak: comparing the dynamics in the 29 provinces in China and in the rest of the world

Nonlinear Dynamics ◽

10.1007/s11071-020-05862-6 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 101 (3) ◽

pp. 1561-1581 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Ke Wu ◽

Didier Darcet ◽

Qian Wang ◽

Didier Sornette

Keyword(s):

Growth Model ◽

Western Europe ◽

Control Measures ◽

Logistic Growth ◽

Global Pandemic ◽

The World ◽

Containment Measures ◽

Logistic Growth Model ◽

The Impact ◽

Scenario Projections

Abstract Started in Wuhan, China, the COVID-19 has been spreading all over the world. We calibrate the logistic growth model, the generalized logistic growth model, the generalized Richards model and the generalized growth model to the reported number of infected cases for the whole of China, 29 provinces in China, and 33 countries and regions that have been or are undergoing major outbreaks. We dissect the development of the epidemics in China and the impact of the drastic control measures both at the aggregate level and within each province. We quantitatively document four phases of the outbreak in China with a detailed analysis on the heterogeneous situations across provinces. The extreme containment measures implemented by China were very effective with some instructive variations across provinces. Borrowing from the experience of China, we made scenario projections on the development of the outbreak in other countries. We identified that outbreaks in 14 countries (mostly in western Europe) have ended, while resurgences of cases have been identified in several among them. The modeling results clearly show longer after-peak trajectories in western countries, in contrast to most provinces in China where the after-peak trajectory is characterized by a much faster decay. We identified three groups of countries in different level of outbreak progress, and provide informative implications for the current global pandemic.

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