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Review
. 2022 Dec 2;10(12):2393.
doi: 10.3390/microorganisms10122393.

Evaluation of Control Strategies for Xylella fastidiosa in the Balearic Islands

Bàrbara Quetglas  1 , Diego Olmo  2 , Alicia Nieto  2 , David Borràs  2 , Francesc Adrover  2   3 , Ana Pedrosa  1   3 , Marina Montesinos  1 , Juan de Dios García  3 , Marta López  3 , Andreu Juan  3 , Eduardo Moralejo  1
Affiliations
Review

Evaluation of Control Strategies for Xylella fastidiosa in the Balearic Islands

Bàrbara Quetglas et al. Microorganisms. .

Abstract

The emergence of Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) in the Balearic Islands in October 2016 was a major phytosanitary challenge with international implications. Immediately after its detection, eradication and containment measures included in Decision 2015/789 were implemented. Surveys intensified during 2017, which soon revealed that the pathogen was widely distributed on the islands and eradication measures were no longer feasible. In this review, we analyzed the control measures carried out by the Balearic Government in compliance with European legislation, as well as the implementation of its control action plan. At the same time, we contrasted them with the results of scientific research accumulated since 2017 on the epidemiological situation. The case of Xf in the Balearic Islands is paradigmatic since it concentrates on a small territory with one of the widest genetic diversities of Xf affecting crops and forest ecosystems. We also outline the difficulties of anticipating unexpected epidemiological situations in the legislation on harmful exotic organisms on which little biological information is available. Because Xf has become naturalized in the islands, coexistence alternatives based on scientific knowledge are proposed to reorient control strategies towards the main goal of minimizing damage to crops and the landscape.

Keywords: Philaenus spumarius; invasive pathogens; phytosanitary measures; risk assessment; vector-borne disease.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Density map of the number of Xf-qPCR+ samples per Km at the first Audit DG SANTE in June 2017. Demarcated 10 Km areas in blue circles.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Progression of the number of total samples, Xf-qPCR-positive samples, and hosts over time in the Balearic Islands.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Informative, leaflet brochures, and posters of Xylella fastidiosa at the airport of Palma de Mallorca.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Diversity and surface-area proportions of grapevine varieties planted in Mallorca. All these varieties have been shown to be susceptible to Xylella fastidiosa in the field and in inoculation experiments. Symptoms of a grapevine (var. Tempranillo) seven weeks after inoculation (bottom).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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