Table Grapes Research Articles

Comparison between consumer-oriented and laboratory benchtop near-infrared spectrometers for total soluble solids measurement in grape

Portable near-infrared (NIR) spectrometers are gaining interest as a non-destructive tool for fruit quality determination in the decade. In this study, the performance of the portable NIR spectrometer for TSS prediction of grapes was evaluated and compared to the benchtop spectrometer. A total of 105 table grapes were individually measured NIR spectra at short-wavelength (740 – 1070 nm) and long-wavelength NIR region (1000 – 2500 nm) using SCiO and NIRFlex N-500 spectrometers, respectively. Partial least square (PLS) regression analysis was performed on berry spectra from both devices afterward significant wavelengths were identified and used to develop multiple linear regression (MLR) models. The best PLS prediction model was obtained from SNV pretreating spectra for both devices and spectral data acquired from SCiO showed better prediction performance (= 0.854, SEP = 0.452°Brix) than NIRFlex N-500 spectra (= 0.667, SEP = 0.675°Brix). Low predicting ability was gained for the MLR calibration model for both device with an RPD of about 1.70. From the results, a pocket-size spectrometer has the potential to be a non-destructive sorting and screening tool in fruit industries.

Efficacy and Molecular Mechanisms of Nystatin Against Botrytis cinerea on Postharvest Table Grape

The primary cause of postharvest loss in table grape fruit is attributed to gray mold, which is caused by Botrytis cinerea. The present study confirmed the inhibitory effects of nystatin on the growth and development of B. cinerea, which led to a remarkable reduction in the severity of gray mold on table grape fruits. Furthermore, the application of nystatin disrupted the membrane permeability of B. cinerea, causing increased cellular leakage and cell death. In addition, the transcriptome analysis showed that the application of nystatin effectively modulated the transcriptional profile of genes involved in ribosome and mitochondrion biogenesis, as well as oxidoreductase activity, thereby disrupting the homeostasis of cellular organelles. Moreover, the nystatin treatment down-regulated genes associated with membrane trafficking, protein degradation by the ubiquitin–proteasome system, and the autophagy process, ultimately attenuating the pathogenicity of B. cinerea. Collectively, nystatin can be considered a viable agent for managing gray mold on table grape fruit.

Grapevine pangenome facilitates trait genetics and genomic breeding.

Grapevine breeding is hindered by a limited understanding of the genetic basis of complex agronomic traits. This study constructs a graph-based pangenome reference (Grapepan v.1.0) from 18 newly generated phased telomere-to-telomere assemblies and 11 published assemblies. Using Grapepan v.1.0, we build a variation map with 9,105,787 short variations and 236,449 structural variations (SVs) from the resequencing data of 466 grapevine cultivars. Integrating SVs into a genome-wide association study, we map 148 quantitative trait loci for 29 agronomic traits (50.7% newly identified), with 12 traits significantly contributed by SVs. The estimated heritability improves by 22.78% on average when including SVs. We discovered quantitative trait locus regions under divergent artificial selection in metabolism and berry development between wine and table grapes, respectively. Moreover, significant genetic correlations were detected among the 29 traits. Under a polygenic model, we conducted genomic predictions for each trait. In general, our study facilitates the breeding of superior cultivars via the genomic selection of multiple traits.

On-the-go table grape ripeness estimation via proximal snapshot hyperspectral imaging

The monitoring of grapes for ripeness estimation is a practice that enables fruit harvesting at the optimal time. Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) represents a non-destructive and high-throughput alternative to traditional laboratory analyses. Current literature approaches perform hyperspectral measurements using line scan sensors or low-resolution static snapshot cameras, which hinder a fast per-bunch ripeness characterization. We propose a framework for on-the-go collection and processing of proximal snapshot hyperspectral images to estimate single bunch ripeness parameters. Focusing on table grapes (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Red Globe), we collected images under natural illumination with a hyperspectral camera (500–900 nm) mounted on a moving vehicle in an experimental block sited in Piacenza, Italy. We investigated images collected in August and September 2021 representing two ripening stages. The composition of the imaged grape bunches was determined through laboratory chemical analyses to predict Total Soluble Solids (TSS) and anthocyanin concentration. The images were pre-processed via multimodal image registration to correct the unalignment of bands due to the vehicle motion, and the single bunches were automatically identified on false RGB images through a Mask Region-Convolutional Neural Network (Mask R-CNN) instance segmentation network. The mean spectra of the bunches were used as input features of a Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) model to predict the chemical parameters at single bunch and whole vine scales. The regression model of TSS had an R2 (10-fold nested cross-validation) of 0.75 and 0.85 on a per-bunch and per-vine basis, respectively. The regression model of anthocyanin had an R2 of 0.68 and 0.49 on a per-bunch and per-vine basis, respectively. The results suggest the potential of using snapshot hyperspectral images for high-throughput analysis of a per-bunch grape ripeness estimation. The method described in this study could give valuable information to improve grape ripening monitoring and management of harvest operations and even allow for precise and automated robotic harvesting.

H2O2-mediated cell wall remodeling and pectin demethylesterification are involved in maintaining postharvest texture of table grape by sulfur dioxide

Berry texture affects consumer acceptance and postharvest shelf life of table grapes. This study elucidates how sulfur dioxide (SO2) treatment maintains grape texture quality, focusing on the role of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-mediated cell wall modifications. SO2 treatment exhibited effects similar to those of H2O2 treatment, resulting in firmer berries with more intact cell wall structures, higher contents of chelate-soluble pectin, sodium carbonate-soluble pectin, hemicellulose, and cellulose, with lower levels of water-soluble pectin compared to untreated fruit. Moreover, it delays pectin nanostructure disassembly and reduces degree of pectin methylesterification, which facilitates the formation of calcium bridges between demethylesterified pectin and increased calcium ions, thereby strengthening the cell wall and weakening enzymatic pectin degradation. Conversely, combining ROS generation inhibitors with SO2 mitigated these effects. Overall, these findings highlight the role of H2O2-mediated cell wall modification in maintaining grape postharvest texture through SO2 treatment, providing new insights for managing grape postharvest softening.

Integrative Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Analysis Provides Novel Insights into the Effects of SO2 on the Postharvest Quality of 'Munage' Table Grapes.

Postharvest grapes exhibit a limited shelf life due to susceptibility to rot and deterioration, significantly reducing their nutritional and economic value. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a widely recognized preservative for extending grape storage life. This study performed a detailed analysis of 'Munage' table grapes treated with SO2 fumigation, employing transcriptomic and metabolomic approaches. Results indicate that SO2 fumigation significantly extends the shelf life of grapes, as demonstrated by improved visual quality, reduced decay rates, and increased fruit firmness. We identified 309 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) and 1906 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 135 transcription factors (TFs). Both DEGs and DAMs showed significant enrichment of flavonoid-related metabolism compared with the control, and the relative content of four flavonoid metabolites (Wogonin-7-O-glucuronide, Acacetin-7-O-glucuronide, Apigenin-7-O-glucuronide, and Baicalein 7-O-glucuronide) were significantly increased in grapes upon SO2 treatment, suggesting that SO2 treatment had a substantial regulatory effect on grape flavonoid metabolism. Importantly, we constructed complex regulatory networks by screening key enzyme genes (e.g., PAL, 4CLs, CHS, CHI2, and UGT88F3) related to the metabolism of target flavonoid, as well as potential regulatory transcription factors (TFs). Overall, our findings offer new insights into the regulatory mechanisms by which SO2 maintains the postharvest quality of table grapes.

Plastic Covering Accelerates Phenological Stages and Causes Abiotic Stress in Table Grapes in Egypt

Plastic Covering Accelerates Phenological Stages and Causes Abiotic Stress in Table Grapes in Egypt

First Report of Aspergillus tubingensis Causing Leaf Spot on Pogostemon cablin in China

Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth) is an important medicinal and aromatic plant widely cultivated in China, India, and other Southeast Asian countries. It is renowned for its diverse applications in traditional medicine and its detoxification, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and other pharmacological properties (Wu et al. 2016; Fang et al. 2022). In May 2023, a severe leaf spot disease was observed on Pogostemon cablin plants grown in most plantations in Yulin, Guangxi, China (22°26′N; 109°83′E), with over 50% incidence rate. Symptoms began as small, circular, brown spots on leaves, enlarging with yellow halos. Lesions expanded into irregular shapes with necrotic centers. Advanced stages showed extensive yellowing, browning, and leaf senescence. A total of 20 symptomatic plants were sampled from 5 different locations within the detected area, with 4 plants sampled per location. To isolate the pathogen, 20 affected leaves were collected from these plants and preliminarily washed with sterile distilled water (SDW). Five small tissue pieces (5×5 mm) were excised from the lesion edge of each leaf, surface-disinfected with 75% ethanol and 1% NaClO, rinsed thrice with SDW, and placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) at 28 °C in darkness for 7 days. Out of these, 18 plants (90%) yield fungal isolate with recurrent and similar morphological characteristics. Four representative isolates (X5-1-1, X5-1-3, X5-1-5, and X5-1-7) were selected for further analysis. On PDA, colonies were initially white, gradually turning black on the surface, with light yellow on the reverse side of the plate. Conidia were brown to black, globose, rough-walled, and 2.6 to 5.2 µm in diameter. Conidial heads were brown-black, and conidiophores were smooth and hyaline. Morphological characteristics matched those of Aspergillus sp. (Guo et al. 2017). For molecular identification, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the β-tubulin (TUB) gene of all four isolates were sequenced (Lim et al. 2019). All four isolates (X5-1-1, X5-1-3, X5-1-5, and X5-1-7) showed consistent morphological characteristics and 100% identical ITS and TUB sequences. Representative sequences from isolate X5-1-5 were submitted to GenBank (ITS: PP789632; TUB: PP798205). The obtained ITS and TUB sequences showed 99% similarity to Aspergillus tubingensis (ITS: OP737633; TUB: MG991377). Based on morphological and molecular analyses, the fungus was identified as A. tubingensis (Palmer et al. 2019). For pathogenicity tests, a spore suspension (1 × 10^6 conidia/mL) was prepared from 7-day-old cultures of A. tubingensis grown on PDA. The suspension was sprayed onto leaves of 10 healthy Pogostemon cablin plants until runoff. Control plants were sprayed with SDW. All plants were kept in a controlled greenhouse (12/12h light/dark, 25 ± 2 °C, 90% humidity). After 7 d, symptoms identical to those observed in the field developed on all pathogen inoculated plants, while control plants remained asymptomatic. The fungus was successfully re-isolated from infected leaves in three successive trials, fulfilling Koch's postulates. Notably, A. tubingensis has previously been reported causing field diseases on strawberry in California, Jatropha curcas and Helleborus species in China (Palmer et al. 2019; Guo et al. 2017, Liaquat et al. 2019), and vine canker on table grape in Italy (Vitale et al. 2012). To our knowledge, this is the first report of A. tubingensis causing leaf spot on Pogostemon cablin in China. This finding provides a foundation for further investigate into the biology, epidemiology, and management of this disease.

Biocontrol Ability of Strain Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SQ-2 against Table Grape Rot Caused by Aspergillus tubingensis.

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain SQ-2, isolated from a cured product, has been demonstrated to exhibit a highly efficacious performance against phytopathogens, including Stemphylium solani, Fusarium moniliforme, Fusarium graminearum, and Aspergillus tubingensis. In particular, with regard to A. tubingensis, which causes summer bunch rot, SQ-2 has been observed to suppress the mycelial growth of all tested grape cultivars by over 40%. Especially on Kyoho grapes, it has the highest inhibition rate of 53%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirms that SQ-2 is an effective agent for suppressing the mycelia proliferation, differentiation, and spore formation of A. tubingensis. Furthermore, an LC/MS analysis revealed that SQ-2 produces two principal lipopeptides, namely, bacillibactin and surfactin, in addition to a polyketide, bacillaene. Further analysis through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) identified 41 distinct volatile organic compounds secreted by SQ-2. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that exposure to the metabolite of SQ-2 induced substantial gene expression alterations in A. tubingensis. These data suggest that B. amyloliquefaciens strain SQ-2 exhibits promising crop protection potential of inhibiting plant pathogens through the secretion of bacillibactin, surfactin, bacillaene, and VOCs.

Does a native and introduced cover crop species differ in their ability to suppress weeds? A study in a table grape vineyard

This study compared the weed suppression ability of a native cover crop species phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia), an introduced cover crop species rye (Secale cereale L.), and a no cover crop (herbicide‑managed) system in a vineyard. Cover crops were sown in the interrow spaces of the grapevine rows. Percent weed cover after the cover crop termination was lower in the interrow of the phacelia than the no cover crop plots. During the cover crop growing season, phacelia suppressed weeds more than rye. However, the weed seedbank of the cover crop plots was greater than that of the no cover crop plots.

Correction: Mycelia Migratory Bacteria in Compost and Compost–Amended Rhizosphere Soil in a Table Grape Orchard

Correction: Mycelia Migratory Bacteria in Compost and Compost–Amended Rhizosphere Soil in a Table Grape Orchard

ANALYSIS OF THE ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE COSTS OF TABLE GRAPE PLANTATIONS ACCORDING TO THE PERGOLA SUPPORT SYSTEM

Evaluating the costs of establishment and maintenance of table grape plantations, grown through the Pergola management system, is a significant opportunity for winegrowers in the Republic of Moldova. This system, relatively new in the country, remains unadopted for many of the table grape producers. The present research highlights the methodological and technical aspects related to the costs associated with the cultivation of table grapes through the Pergola management system, which must be adapted to the specific climatic conditions of Moldova and to the current market requirements. The main objective of the research is to analyze the structure of costs that influence the yield of plantations in the long term, including the initial establishment expenses and the subsequent maintenance expenses. The author points out that although the maintenance costs of Pergola table grape plantations are high, the growing demand for quality grapes adds significant economic value to this vineyard management system. The research details the composition of the establishment and maintenance costs of table grape plantations, namely fertilization costs, irrigation costs, mechanized service costs. Concrete examples show what the structure of these costs is, thus demonstrating the importance of a correct assessment of costs in the process of establishing and maintaining table grape plantations.

Influence of Grape Heterogeneity on Berry Quality Traits in Table Grapes A Study on the ‘Alphonse Lavallée’ Variety

The study, conducted in 2023 at the vineyard of the Agricultural Research and Application Center of Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University, focused on the Alphonse Lavallée grape variety, a significant cultivar among table grapes. The research aimed to assess the impact of berry density on various quality parameters. Grape berries were selected across five different density categories (Y0-Y4), including a control group, to evaluate their physical characteristics (including width, length, weight, firmness, and skin color), chemical properties (pH, total titratable acidity, and soluble solids content), and phytochemical attributes (encompassing total phenol content, total antioxidant capacity, and total monomeric anthocyanin levels). The findings revealed that critical quality indicators—namely, soluble solids content, pH, total antioxidant capacity, and total monomeric anthocyanin—were maximized under the Y4 treatment. In contrast, the highest total phenol content was recorded in the Y2 and Y3 treatments. These results underscore the importance of berry density and berry/skin volume as key determinants of grape berry quality. The study contributes valuable insights into the role of these factors in enhancing the overall quality of table grapes, particularly in the context of the Alphonse Lavallée variety.

Association of SO2-Generating Pads before Packaging and during Cold Storage to Extend the Conservation of 'Italia' Table Grapes.

The SO2-generating pads contain different concentrations of sodium metabisulfite, which absorbs water from the grapes' transpiration, releasing SO2 gas, and there are slow-(SlowSO2) and dual (DualSO2)-releasing pads (fast release in the first 48 h and slow for up to 60 days). The ultra-fast SO2-generating pad (FieldSO2) releases the SO2 quickly for up to 6 h, and it was designed to be used soon after the harvest and until the grapes' packaging. The goal was to study the effect of FieldSO2 associated with SlowSO2 and DualSO2 pads on gray mold incidence and physicochemical and appearance characteristics of 'Italia' table grapes. Grapes were harvested from a commercial vineyard in Parana, Brazil, in 2020 and 2021, and packaged in cardboard boxes, and the treatments were as follows: control (without SO2-generating pads); FieldSO2 + SlowSO2; and FieldSO2 + DualSO2. After 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 days of cold storage (1 ± 1 °C), the grapes were assessed for gray mold incidence, mass loss, shattered berries, stem browning, and filamentous fungi on the surface. The use of FieldSO2 associated with SO2-generating pads is effective in controlling gray mold on 'Italia' table grapes, especially the treatment FieldSO2 + DualSO2, which provides the lowest incidence of the disease up to 90 days of cold storage, while the combination with SlowSO2 results in intermediate efficacy. Treatments combining these SO2-generating pads extend the postharvest shelf life of 'Italia' grapes, with few shattered berries, low mass loss and freshness of the rachis without impairing the bunch's appearance.

Impact of Preharvest Foliar Application of Calcium Ascorbate on Quality, Health Promoting Phytochemicals and Postharvest Life of Thompson Seedless Table Grape

Impact of Preharvest Foliar Application of Calcium Ascorbate on Quality, Health Promoting Phytochemicals and Postharvest Life of Thompson Seedless Table Grape

Processes of assembly of endophytic prokaryotic and rhizosphere fungal communities in table grape are preponderantly deterministic

Understanding the assemblage of microbial communities is important for the health maintenance and post-harvest quality of fruit crops. However, systematic studies on the core microbiomes of table grapes and microbial community assembly of soil-plant continuum are still rare. To address this, samples were collected and analyzed from key microbiome compartments (bulk soil, rhizosphere of new roots and old roots, endosphere of new and old roots, and endosphere of leaves and fruits) of five table grape cultivars (Balado Black, Jingya, Fujimino, Victoria and Kyoho) at the swelling stage and harvest stage in the field plots. Prokaryotic and fungal communities were analyzed using 16S rRNA and ITS rRNA high-throughput sequencing, respectively. The compartment was the major factor attributable to the variations in both prokaryotic (52.5 %) and fungal communities (23.2 %), respectively. The richness and phylogenetic diversity of both prokaryotic and fungal communities decreased significantly along the compartment continuum from soil to fruit endosphere, but did not differ between the five cultivars across all samples. Occupancy-abundance distribution was used to define 97 core bacteria, 29 core fungi for rhizosphere soil and five core bacteria, 172 core fungi for endosphere. Functional annotations of the rhizosphere core bacteria were mostly associated with ureolysis and chemoheterotrophy, while endophytic core bacteria were mostly fermentative and symbiotic. Rhizosphere core fungi were saprophytic and the endophytic fungi were putatively pathogens. From rhizosphere soil to aboveground organs, the relative importance of deterministic processes for prokaryotic community assembly gradually increased but the contribution of stochastic processes increased for fungal community assembly. These findings highlight niche-specific microbial communities and shared core microbiomes in different grapevine cultivars. The deterministic processes contribute more to the assembly of prokaryotic communities in the aboveground than in the belowground while the assembly of fungal communities exhibits opposite trends. Management practices aiming at niche-specific microbiome should be developed for sustainable grape production.

Control of Botrytis cinerea from Chilean grapevines by pydiflumetofen: baseline and carboxamide-mutant sensitivity.

The gray mold (Botrytis cinerea; Botrytis) is the main disease affecting grapevines production in Chile. Succinate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors (SDHI) belonging to the carboxamides fungicide family are a key tool for the control of Botrytis in grapevines from Chilean Central Valley. This study aimed to determine the sensitivity of Chilean Botrytis population to the new generation carboxamide pydiflumetofen. Conidial germination (CG) and germ-tube elongation (GTE) sensitivity assays were conducted on 200 single-spore isolates collected during the 2016-2017 season. The mean effective concentration that inhibited 50% (EC50) of CG in the Botrytis population was 0.0545 µg/mL, with mean values of 0.066 µg/mL and 0.042 µg/mL, for table and wine grapes, respectively. The mean EC50 value of GTE was 0.000245 µg/mL, 0.0003 µg/mL, and 0.0019 µg/mL for the total, table grape, and wine grape populations, respectively. The comparison between pydiflumetofen and fludioxonil, a highly-efficient fungicide carrying a different mode of action, showed the 87.5% and 97.5% of Botrytis control with an EC50 threshold of 0.1 µg/mL, in table grape, and wine grape populations, respectively. No cross-resistance between pydiflumetofen and fludioxonil was detected. For nine isolates with reduced pydiflumetofen sensitivity, we evaluated SdhB mutations using a qPCR-HRM diagnostic system. Two isolates carried the sdhBP225/H272R genotype and two the sdhBP225/H272Y. Additional analysis of SdhB mutant isolates determined that pydiflumetofen controls wild-type as well as sdhBP225/H272R and sdhBP225H/H272 mutants. Pydiflumetofen does not control CG in the sdhBP225/H272Y mutant but is effective in the GTE control. Pydiflumetofen significantly controls Botrytis independently of the SdhB genotype in wounded berry assays. This condition resembles the berry cracking due to heavy rainfall right before harvest, as seen in recent years in the Chilean Central Valley. The findings demonstrate that pydiflumetofen effectively controls the grapevine Botrytis population, suggest a moderate risk of pydiflumetofen resistance, and highlight the significance of incorporating genetic data into the design of control programs.

Enhancing Red Table Grape Coloration Using Tsikoudia: A Novel and Sustainable Approach.

Achieving optimal coloration in red table grapes, especially in warm-climate regions, presents significant challenges due to high temperatures that inhibit anthocyanin biosynthesis. Conventional methods to enhance grape coloration, including the use of abscisic acid (ABA), ethephon, foliar nutrient supplementation, and viticultural practices like cluster trimming and girdling, have limitations related to cost, regulatory restrictions, and potential adverse effects on grapes quality. This study proposes the application of tsikoudia, a traditional Greek alcoholic beverage, as a novel, sustainable, and cost-effective alternative to conventional practices. Tsikoudia, applied during the veraison stage, significantly improved the coloration of 'Crimson Seedless' and 'Red Globe' grapes by enhancing anthocyanin accumulation and altering color parameters. Specifically, lightness (L*), chroma (C*), and hue angle (h), measured using the CIE-Lab color system, were reduced, while the Color Index for Red Grapes (CIRG) was increased. Additionally, total anthocyanin content, determined through spectrophotometric analysis, also showed an increase. These changes indicate a more intense red coloration. This research highlights the effectiveness of tsikoudia in improving grape coloration and contributes to the development of more sustainable viticultural practices.

On-vine drying (passérillage) improves the quality of “Hutai No. 8” table grape wine: Focusing on phenolics, aromas, color and sensory attributes

On-vine drying (passérillage) was employed for Hutai No.8 table grapes with different water loss rates and that are used for winemaking to alter the qualities of wine. Results showed that on-vine drying increased sugar content, thereby elevating alcohol and glycerol contents in the resulting wine. A moderate drying treatment (D2, 18 % water loss) produced wine with optimal red color characteristics. The D2 wine contained abundant individual phenolics such as caffeic acid, salicylic acid, resveratrol, p-coumaric acid, and proanthocyanidin B1, which exhibited strong positive correlations with color parameters (a⁎, C*ab and △E*ab). Similar trends were observed in aroma compounds, with ethyl acetate, ethyl caproate, diethyl succinate, geraniol, linalool, 4-terpinenol, α-terpineol, and β-ionone contents showing significant increment in D2, aligning with enhanced sensory evaluations of wines. Thus, improvement of wine quality can be achieved through moderate on-vine drying (18 % water loss)，serving as a valuable reference for table grape winemaking.

An integrated strategy for pathogen surveillance unveiled Xylella fastidiosa ST1 outbreak in hidden agricultural compartments in the Apulia region (Southern Italy)

AbstractAnnual surveillance programs for the plant pathogenic bacterium Xylella fastidiosa are implemented in Europe as part of the preventive phytosanitary strategies enforced to face the emergence of the detrimental infections reported in olives in southern Italy. The programs include inspections and sampling of host plants by prioritizing those showing suspicious symptoms or those known to be highly susceptible to different strains and subspecies of the bacterium. In the framework of these programs numerous outbreaks have been unraveled, with several strains and subspecies found to infect a relatively large host range in France, Spain, Portugal and Italy. Here we report the results of an integrated surveillance approach implemented in the Apulia Region (southern Italy), where a conventional survey program on host plants is complemented by monitoring and testing for X. fastidiosa the insect vectors. In the framework of this program, bacterium-positive spittlebugs were intercepted in the Xylella-free area of the region, close to one of the most relevant Italian table grape production district. Such findings prompted further investigation to identify the bacterial reservoir in the host plants. Almond and grapevine were found to be the most frequently infected hosts, with infections caused by isolates of X. fastidiosa subspecies fastidiosa ST1. Investigations are ongoing to assess the extent and history of the outbreak, to assess and estimate the potential impacts, and define the best options for its containment.