Xylella fastidiosa, a bacterium causing plant diseases, has an annual economic impact of €5.5 billion in Europe. Its spread is linked to climate change.

Production

Apr. 7, 2025

Revitalizing Salento: Entrepreneurs Fight Xylella with New Ideas

Puglia's new generation of entrepreneurs is reviving the region's devastated olive industry, using innovative ideas and technologies to rebuild.

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Aerial view of Great Ocean Road - Australia

Business

Apr. 1, 2025

Australian Growers on Alert After Xylella Fastidiosa Found in China

The identification of Xylella fastidiosa in China has led Australian authorities to increase the scrutiny of plant imports.

An olive tree with a twisted trunk and green leaves against a clear blue sky. - Olive Oil Times

News Briefs

Jul. 15, 2024

Xylella Fastidiosa Identified in Extremadura

Extremadura joins the Balearic Islands and the Community of Valencia as the Spanish regions with active Xylella infestations.

Olive grove featuring pruned olive trees and surrounding greenery under a clear sky. - Olive Oil Times

Production

Jun. 3, 2024

Xylella-Resilient Groves Are the Future of Apulian Olive Oil

Farmers’ associations, researchers and institutions are teaming up to replant Xylella fastidiosa-resilient olive trees in Puglia.

Mar. 25, 2024 Opinions

Scientists Defend Study Finding Xylella Not Responsible for Most OQDS

Mar. 14, 2024 Business

Authorities in Puglia Confirm Culprit in Olive Tree Devastation

Mar. 6, 2024 Business

Xylella May Not Be Responsible for Olive Tree Devastation in Puglia, Study Finds

Feb. 29, 2024 Business

Authorities Identify Xylella Strain Infecting Vines, Almonds in Puglia

Feb. 20, 2024 World

Balearic Islands Tighten Restrictions as Xylella Spreads in Mallorca

Workers in safety gear cutting down a large tree stump in an olive grove. - Olive Oil Times

News Briefs

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.

View of an olive grove with several olive trees and green underbrush in a natural setting. - Olive Oil Times

Production

Oct. 24, 2023

Olive Grove Bacteria May Hold Key to Combating Xylella

Certain microorganisms provide biological advantages like a secondary immune system, researchers found.

Aerial view of a forested area with a mix of trees, some appearing bare and others green. - Olive Oil Times

Production

Sep. 6, 2023

Europe’s Evolving Fight Against Xylella Fastidiosa

Early detection across the European Union remains at the forefront of the struggle against the bacterium as officials are hopeful about new research, methods and tools.

Close-up of a gnarled olive tree trunk with twisted roots and bark showing signs of aging. - Olive Oil Times

News Briefs

Jul. 26, 2023

Art Exhibition Reflects on Xylella's Devastating Impact

‘Xylella Studies,’ which documents the disruption caused by the bacterium to Puglia, will be on display until September 10th at the Sigismondo Castromediano Museum.

Individual using a pruning tool on an olive tree branch under a clear blue sky. - Olive Oil Times

Business

Jun. 20, 2023

Spread of Xylella Slowing in Puglia, Researchers Say

As the number of severity of new infections deccreases in the southern Italian region, farmers begin to plant and graft resilient varieties.

Olive trees in a field with a stone wall in the foreground under a clear sky. - Olive Oil Times

Business

Feb. 7, 2023

Apulian Authorities Agree on Funding for Xylella Strategy

Faster eradication, early diagnoses and more research are among the key components of the containment strategy.

Terraced tea plantation fields with green bushes and bare trees in the foreground. - Olive Oil Times

Business

Feb. 2, 2023

In Portugal, Xylella Infection Spreads to More Species

The latest Ministry of Agriculture update outlines a worsening scenario for farmers in Portugal and nearby Spain.

A landscape featuring barren olive trees in a dry field under a clear blue sky. - Olive Oil Times

Production

Mar. 17, 2022

Officials in Puglia Approve New Plan to Stem Spread of Xylella Fastidiosa

The goal is to monitor and combat the bacteria outbreaks that have been destroying traditional and monumental olive groves for nearly a decade.

A wooden house on a hillside, surrounded by lush green plants and trees. - Olive Oil Times

Europe

Mar. 8, 2022

Xylella Arrived in Italy from a Costa Rican Coffee Plant, Researchers Say

A study concluded that the genomes of Xylella fastidiosa in Apulian olive trees descended directly from Costa Rican coffee plants.

A panoramic view of a dry landscape featuring leafless trees and sparse vegetation under a clear blue sky. - Olive Oil Times

Business

Feb. 28, 2022

Researchers Find Another Disease Afflicting Olive Groves in Puglia

New research on olive trees in Salento revealed the spreading of a known fungus, whose drying action is much faster than Xylella bacteria.

Rows of almond trees in an orchard with a dirt path running through the center. - Olive Oil Times

News Briefs

Feb. 8, 2022

Authorities Destroy Almond Tree Infected With Xylella in Central Italy

Xylella fastidiosa multiplex, which is not known to affect olive trees, was identified by authorities in Lazio.

Aerial view of rocky cliffs meeting the blue ocean under a clear sky. - Olive Oil Times

News Briefs

Jan. 4, 2022

Researchers Identify Xylella Vectors on Balearic Islands

Two species of insects were identified as the main vectors of the deadly olive tree pathogen on the Spanish islands.

A drone flying in the foreground with a person operating it in the background during sunset. - Olive Oil Times

Business

Dec. 17, 2021

Dogs and Drones: New Projects in Puglia Emphasize Early Detection Against Xylella

Using thermal sensing and the powerful noses of dogs, authorities in Puglia ramp up efforts to detect the latest outbreaks of Xylella fastidiosa before symptoms occur.

A landscape featuring several olive trees with bare branches under a clear blue sky and bright sun. - Olive Oil Times

Production

Dec. 1, 2021

New Olive Trees Are Being Planted in Xylella-Ravaged Puglia

A new law in Italy has changed monitoring and removal operations in Xylella-plagued areas. Funds are being used to replant trees and compensate millers.

Olives collected in nets during the harvesting process in an olive grove. - Olive Oil Times

Production

Nov. 10, 2021

Producers in Southern Italy in Crisis as Challenges Mount

From the hot and dry summer to the Covid-fueled labor shortages and unrelenting spread of Xylella fastidiosa, many farmers in Puglia find themselves in an emergency.