Xylella fastidiosa has spread to olive trees in France.
On Friday, September 6 France’s agriculture ministry said it had identified the first two cases of olive trees infected with the pathogen, which has destroyed scores of groves across Italy and the Mediterranean region.
See Also:Complete Coverage: Xylella FastidiosaIn France, Xylella was first found on the island of Corsica in July 2015. At the time it affected myrtle-leaf milkwort plants — not olive trees.
The two infected olive trees, which were kept for ornamental purposes, were detected in the towns of Antibes and Menton in the South of France.
The ministry said the trees were infected by the same pauca subspecies of Xylella that has destroyed olive trees across Italy.
They said they would try to prevent the spread of the disease by destroying the two trees in the next few days and uprooting all other plants that are vulnerable to Xylella within a five-kilometer radius of the two reported cases.
Xylella fastidiosa is a plant pathogenic bacteria that has led to the destruction of olive trees in some regions, especially Puglia, Italy. Widespread efforts are underway at various local and international levels to control the pathogen.
Xylella is spread by xylem fluid-feeding insects.
Related Articles
Nov. 20, 2023
Languedoc Extra Virgin Olive Oil Receives PDO Certification
Made from the local Lucques and Olivière varieties, Languedoc becomes France’s ninth extra virgin olive oil to receive Protected Designation of Origin status.
Mar. 6, 2024
Xylella May Not Be Responsible for Olive Tree Devastation in Puglia, Study Finds
The findings could unravel a decade of policy and understanding that Xylella fastidiosa was the leading cause of Olive Quick Decline Syndrome in Puglia.
Oct. 30, 2023
New Spray Could Protect Olive Trees from Xylella
Researchers have developed a technology that allows the inactivation of specific plant genes through a single spray application.
Mar. 25, 2024
Scientists Defend Study Finding Xylella Not Responsible for Most OQDS
Margherita Ciervo and Marco Scortichini defend their research that found Xylella fastidiosa was not responsible for most Apulian olive tree deaths over the past decade.
Oct. 24, 2023
Olive Grove Bacteria May Hold Key to Combating Xylella
Certain microorganisms provide biological advantages like a secondary immune system, researchers found.
Jun. 1, 2023
Consumer Group in France Finds Olive Oils Contaminated with Hydrocarbons
Test results published by the National Consumer Institute, found that 23 of 24 olive oils had traces of plasticizer and hydrocarbon contamination.
May. 9, 2023
Focus on Quality Yields Success for Producers in France
Despite a sharp drop in production due to Europe’s prolonged drought, the number of French entries at the World Competition has progressively increased over the years.
Jun. 20, 2023
Reviews Pour in for Starbucks Oleato
From indigestion to pleasantly nutty notes, customers in the United States and Europe have come to mixed conclusions about the olive oil-infused coffee beverages.