New data on plant diseases
Xylella fastidiosa is a bacterial species that causes a variety of plant diseases. The EC-funded XYLELLA DISEASES set out to create an integrated management system for the Xylella diseases in citrus and coffee. This approach is expected to include data on the use of insecticides, fertiliser, pruning and also molecular techniques to isolate and identify genetic variants of the pathogen. The two diseases that formed the focus of XYLELLA DISEASES were Citrus Variegated Choruses (CVC) and Coffee Leaf Scorch (CLS). Project partner, University of Hannover, coordinated a number of publications on the topics of CVC and CLS. The aim was to disseminate information on both pathosystems to a wide scientific audience. The aspects that the University was keen to publicise included topics like incest vectors for the pathogen, the effect of control measures on crop yield and the spatial distribution of disease. These dissemination attempts can help a variety of stakeholders remain abreast with developments in the field of Xylella diseases across the EU.
