Threat of Xylella fastidiosa and options for mitigation in infected plants

Abstract

Abstract The bacterial pathogen Xylella fastidiosa continues to threaten agricultural production of many different crops around the world, with significant economic burden from crop loss, disease management, and surveillance costs. In addition to direct economic consequences, plant diseases caused by X. fastidiosa have had significant societal impacts in the most affected regions. Although X. fastidiosa infects long-term perennial crops and landscape plants, there has never been a truly effective treatment for plants once they become infected. This review discusses the threat of X. fastidiosa to agriculture, landscapes, and global commerce, in addition to the most recent progress in treatment for X. fastidiosa in infected plants. Current disease mitigation options include nutritional, chemical, biocontrol, and plant resistance-based strategies, with the potential to develop combined management approaches. Overall, several strategies are promising for disease suppression but there is still opportunity for innovation, especially in treatment approaches that can be administered systemically by soil or foliar spray routes. Prevention of severe disease outcomes and crop loss, and the ability to suppress pathogen populations and reduce transmission without heavy reliance on insecticides would have significant economic and environmental benefits.