Research funded by POnTE and XF-ACTORS Projects presented in Lednice, at the EuroXanth COST Annual Conference

The third annual conference of the EuroXanth COST Action on “Integrating science on Xanthomonadaceae for integrated plant disease management in Europe” was held in Lednice, the Czech Republic, from 9 to 11 September 2019.

The conference sessions, hosted at the Institute of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Mendel University in Brno, the Czech Republic, saw the participation of about 80 researchers, including prominent invited speakers, authors of studies that are milestones in research on Xylella fastidiosa in the American continent: Prof. Rodrigo Almeida (UC Berkeley, USA), Prof. Leonardo de La Fuente (Auburn University, USA) and Prof. Helvecio della Coletta-Filho (Centro de Citricultura Sylvio Moreira, Brazil).

Some studies carried out by early career investigators involved in the projects POnTE and XF-ACTORS were also presented. Dr. Vincenzo Cavalieri (CNR-IPSP, Italy) presented “First studies on the relationship between Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca ST53 and its insect vector in Apulia”, Dr. Giusy D’Attoma (CNR-IPSP, Italy) presented her study “Unravelling the role of mineral elements in olive response to Xylella fastidiosa infections” carried out at Auburn University (USA), thanks to the grant funded by the EuroXanth Short-Term Mission Program. Dr. Massimiliano Morelli (CNR-IPSP, Italy) presented the ongoing research on “Paraburkholderia phytofirmans PsJN behaviour as biocontrol agent of Xylella fastidiosa in olive”; Dr. Cristina Caimerao (Instituto Politecnico de Braganca, Portugal) presented her research on “Olive tree core microbiome: the first learning step towards the development of biological control strategies for Xylella fastidiosa” and Dr. Isabel Rodrigues presented a study on “Potential vectors of Xylella fastidiosa in olive groves, almond orchards and vineyards in Trás-os-Montes region, Portugal”.

Researches carried out within the framework of the two Projects were also presented in the poster session, including the studies by Dr. Vito Montilon (University of Bari, Italy) “Evaluation of xylem vascular occlusions in olive cultivars infected by Xylella fastidiosa” and Dr. Valerie Olivier (ANSES, France) “2015-2019: four years of Xylella fastidiosa surveillance in France”.