Threat of Xylella Fastidiosa
Xylella fastidiosa is a bacterial plant pathogen which is transmitted by pests, specifically xylem fluid-feeding insects such as the spittlebug (Philaenus spumarius). The bacterium colonizes the xylem vessels of the plant, which blocks the uptake of water and nutrients essential for plant health.
Once this happens, severe symptoms of Xylella become apparent. This often leads to plant death as Xylella cannot be cured.
The spread of Xylella fastidiosa has been rapidly increasing across Southern Europe, damaging and destroying entire olive and almond orchards. One of the most impacted regions in Europe is the region of Apulia (Italy), where olive production diminished by an alarming 65%-80%. Heritage 400-year-old olive trees have been destroyed and an estimated 100,000 jobs have been lost. Similar outbreaks have been reported in Spain, Portugal, France, and other regions.
To date, there is no organic solution available on the market to battle the devastation caused by Xylella. Effectively, this places the economic and social-cultural sustainability of Europe at risk
BIOVEXO
Project overview
As a response to the increasing Xylella outbreaks in Europe, the BIOVEXO Project explores innovative biopesticides, which target the Xylella bacterium.
Six candidate biocontrol solutions acting either against Xylella or its vector will be tested within the BIOVEXO Project:
- two bacterial strains
- a microbial metabolite
- two plant extracts
- an entomopathogenic fungus
These biopesticides will be tested for use in curative and preventive approaches of Xylella fastidiosa. Following the small-scale on-field validation and improved formulation, the BIOVEXO Project aims to upscale production of best-performing biopesticides.
A large pilot scale on-field validation of control strategies for integrated pest management, including a real-life evaluation in two major Xylella outbreak regions in Europe will be conducted.
The BIOVEXO biopesticides will be demonstrated in a combined and integrated approach (IPM) on traditional and newly planted olive orchards in Apulia (Italy) and Mallorca (Spain). Additional testing will be done on almond trees.
BIOVEXO will provide a mechanistic understanding of the biopesticides’ mode of action to support final product development. Moreover, it will ensure environmental and economic sustainability in preparation for a smooth market entry.
The BIOVEXO Project is a Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI-JU) Innovation Action .
BIOVEXO
Project Objectives
The BIOVEXO Project aims to produce and test innovative biopesticides, bringing them to a TRL 7 (close to market entry) for use in organic and non-organic production systems, specifically:
- Reducing Xylella pressure and disease severity in olive cultivation
- Protecting and securing long-established olive orchards
- Preventing Xylella infections and disease in new olive plantations
- Securing and sustaining jobs in disease affected areas
- Ensuring continued olive and almond cultivation
BIOVEXO
Project Partners
The BIOVEXO Project brings together 11 partners from 5 countries across Europe. Click the logos to find out more, or check out the partner’s websites using the links!
CRSFA
Centro di Ricerca
AIT Austrian Institute of Technology
RTDS Association (RTDS) is a non-profit SME supporting the implementation of EU research & innovation projects to optimise use of the results for maximum impact. RTDS provides professional Dissemination, Exploitation and Communication (DEC) and project management services in a range of areas: food, agriculture & forestry, associated processing technologies, energy and manufacturing. RTDS participates in ten H2020 / BBI-JU projects, five of which as Coordinator.
RTDS is the Coordinator of BIOVEXO and the leader of Work Package 7 (Dissemination, Exploitation and Communication).
The “Centro di Ricerca, Formazione e Sperimentazione in Agricoltura – CRSFA”, located in Locorotondo (Bari, Italy), is an associated extension service of the University of Bari. CRSFA is an official diagnostic laboratory for harmful pests, manages several demonstrative field plots and it has skills and facilities to screen plant germplasm for resistance to pathogens. The main applied research is in the field of testing new formulations for pest control.
CRSFA is involved in designing and performing small and large-scale trials in the infected area in the olive orchards, aimed to testing the efficacy of different biopesticides in the preventive or curative integrated strategy against Xylella.
AIT is Austria’s largest non-university research institute with a leading role in innovation. With more than 1100 employees in eight centers, AIT connects research and industry at national and international levels by providing new technologies and tools in response to society’s demands. The Bioresources Unit consists of more than 50 persons being active in the areas of plant genetic resources, plant-microbe interactions and application of microorganisms in biocontrol and plant growth promotion. The research focuses on the diversity and functioning of plant-associated microbiota and the application of bacterial endophytes and rhizosphere bacteria for crop enhancement.
AIT is responsible for the scientific coordination of the project, and is the Scientific Coordinator of BIOVEXO. AIT is Work Package 5 (Mode of Action on biopesticides ad target organisms) leader.
Globachem
Universiteit Antwerpen
Universidad de Sevilla
Globachem NV is an international, family-owned agrochemical company specialized in developing, registering and marketing high quality crop protection products for agriculture and horticulture. Globachem conducts research in its own labs, greenhouse and trial fields as a swift and agile response to new developments. To this end, Globachem R&D also teams up with universities, research institutes and companies using state-of-the-art techniques to co-develop research results with a high potential into innovative agrochemicals.
Globachem is the leader of Work Package 2 – Active substances for V-biopesticides for vector control and Work Package 6 – Project sustainability and toxicity.
University of Antwerp is a young, dynamic and forward-thinking university which ranked 10th in the “Top 50 Universities Under 50 years” in 2016. Within the Faculty of Science, the University created in 2006 the Department of Bioscience Engineering, recognizing a strong societal demand for research and education in the field of applied biological sciences. The team led by prof. Vlaeminc,k has a core focus on resource-efficient microbial technology for nutrient management and system assessment of nutrient reuse in agriculture.
The University of Antwerp conducts a Life Cycle analysis of the production and on-field application of the bio-based pesticides and contributes to economic assessment of the toxicological results.
Universidad de Sevilla provides public higher education by studying, teaching and research as well as the generation, development and dissemination of knowledge in service of society and citizenship. More specifically the Universidad de Sevilla performs different functions, highlighting among them the promotion of research as well as the establishment of relations with scientific organizations and contractual relationships with public or private entities and individuals to preform scientific research.
The Universidad de Sevilla contributes to the BIOVEXO project as regards the human and environmental toxicological evaluation of biopesticides against Xylella and its juvenile and adult spittlebug vector formulated in BIOVEXO.
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) is the largest public research organization in Italy, whose mission is to carry out, promote, transfer, encourage and enhance research in the main sectors of knowledge in order to apply the results for the scientific, cultural, technological, economic and social development of the country. Amongst the 109 Institutes belonging to the CNR, the Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection (CNR-IPSP) is specifically dedicated to plant protection in agriculture and forestry.
CNR-IPSP-Bari plays a prominent role in all activities aimed at testing the efficacy of developed biopesticides and bioinsecticides in vitro and in planta. CNR-IPSP-Bari also coordinates the definition and harmonization of shared protocols for field assays with partners operating in different geographical areas. CNR is the leader of Work Package 4 – Large scale validation of control strategies for integrated pest management.
DOMCA, SA (DOMCA), is a Spanish company with more than 40 years of experience offering innovative solutions for the agri-food sector. DOMCA is currently part of DMC Holding business group, constituted by DOMCA Argentina, DOMCA Chile, Biodurcal and DMC Research, a technological-based entity dedicated exclusively to Research, Development and Innovation. The group has a large team of more than 50 employees composed of chemists, biologists and engineers with extensive knowledge related to the agri-food sector.
DOMCA is the leader of Work Package 1 – Antagonistic bacteria and onion extract for X-biopesticides for Xylella control and the leader of Work Package 3 – Biopesticide formulation and upscaling.
Acies Bio Ltd. is a research-driven microbial biotechnology company developing innovative products and platform solutions to build a sustainable and bio-based future. Acies undertakes comprehensive development of innovative microbial technologies, including strain engineering and optimization, media and bioprocess development, downstream processing, pilot-scale production, and finally transfer to industrial scale. Acies Bio has generated a 13-year track record of successful R&D collaboration with more than 30 industrial partners. Several developed technologies are used in multi-ton large scale commercial production and Acies Bio research activities have also led to 11 international patent applications.
Acies Bio is involved in development of economical and sustainable production process for the bacterial based biocontrol solutions for Xylella. Acies aims to develop of the right formulation which will enable delivery of viable material to the plants and an adequate shelf life of the product.
Aimerit SL is a 4th generation family farm located in the town of Santa María del Camí in the Balearic Island of Mallorca and well-known locally for its extension and biodiversity. The farm, which borders the World Heritage Tramuntana mountain range, is focused on maintaining biodiversity, protecting the environment and the sustainable production of crops. Out of a total extension of 173 Hectares, 110 ha are cultivated with almond, carob and olive trees. 65 Ha have been certified for organic production for 16 years. The farm contains 1925 almond trees, 500 olive trees ranging from (5 to -15 years of age), 2600 centennial carob trees and 800 “acebuches” or wild olive trees – some of which are clearly affected by Xylella.
Aimerit conducts field trials of the biopesticides on olives trees and almond trees.
ASAJA (Asociación de Jovenes Agricultores de España) is the most important collective organization of Farmers in Spain (250.000 members from agriculture, farming, livestock and agro-food sectors) representing 100% of the Country’ territory, 60% of the agro-food turnover, and 34% of Spanish farmers. ASAJA has 140 offices all over the Spanish Regions, more than 1600 employees, giving assistance to the thousands of associates (250.000) and representing the legitimate interest of the farmers versus the European and national institutions and governmental and public authorities. ASAJA has a Young Entrepreneur Organization (ANGA), an internal audit (REV), a training agency (ENAPRA), an editorial agency (SEPE) and a service Centre (CAAF
ASAJA coducts curative and preventive trials in Spain on almond trees.
RTDS Association (RTDS) is a non-profit SME supporting the implementation of EU research & innovation projects to optimise use of the results for maximum impact. RTDS provides professional Dissemination, Exploitation and Communication (DEC) and project management services in a range of areas: food, agriculture & forestry, associated processing technologies, energy and manufacturing. RTDS participates in ten H2020 / BBI-JU projects, five of which as Coordinator.
RTDS is the Coordinator of BIOVEXO and the leader of Work Package 7 (Dissemination, Exploitation and Communication).
The “Centro di Ricerca, Formazione e Sperimentazione in Agricoltura – CRSFA”, located in Locorotondo (Bari, Italy), is an associated extension service of the University of Bari. CRSFA is an official diagnostic laboratory for harmful pests, manages several demonstrative field plots and it has skills and facilities to screen plant germplasm for resistance to pathogens. The main applied research is in the field of testing new formulations for pest control.
CRSFA is involved in designing and performing small and large-scale trials in the infected area in the olive orchards, aimed to testing the efficacy of different biopesticides in the preventive or curative integrated strategy against Xylella.
AIT is Austria’s largest non-university research institute with a leading role in innovation. With more than 1100 employees in eight centers, AIT connects research and industry at national and international levels by providing new technologies and tools in response to society’s demands. The Bioresources Unit consists of more than 50 persons being active in the areas of plant genetic resources, plant-microbe interactions and application of microorganisms in biocontrol and plant growth promotion. The research focuses on the diversity and functioning of plant-associated microbiota and the application of bacterial endophytes and rhizosphere bacteria for crop enhancement.
AIT is responsible for the scientific coordination of the project, and is the Scientific Coordinator of BIOVEXO. AIT is Work Package 5 (Mode of Action on biopesticides ad target organisms) leader.
Globachem NV is an international, family-owned agrochemical company specialized in developing, registering and marketing high quality crop protection products for agriculture and horticulture. Globachem conducts research in its own labs, greenhouse and trial fields as a swift and agile response to new developments. To this end, Globachem R&D also teams up with universities, research institutes and companies using state-of-the-art techniques to co-develop research results with a high potential into innovative agrochemicals.
Globachem is the leader of Work Package 2 – Active substances for V-biopesticides for vector control and Work Package 6 – Project sustainability and toxicity.
University of Antwerp is a young, dynamic and forward-thinking university which ranked 10th in the “Top 50 Universities Under 50 years” in 2016. Within the Faculty of Science, the University created in 2006 the Department of Bioscience Engineering, recognizing a strong societal demand for research and education in the field of applied biological sciences. The team led by prof. Vlaeminc,k has a core focus on resource-efficient microbial technology for nutrient management and system assessment of nutrient reuse in agriculture.
The University of Antwerp conducts a Life Cycle analysis of the production and on-field application of the bio-based pesticides and contributes to economic assessment of the toxicological results.
Universidad de Sevilla provides public higher education by studying, teaching and research as well as the generation, development and dissemination of knowledge in service of society and citizenship. More specifically the Universidad de Sevilla performs different functions, highlighting among them the promotion of research as well as the establishment of relations with scientific organizations and contractual relationships with public or private entities and individuals to preform scientific research.
The Universidad de Sevilla contributes to the BIOVEXO project as regards the human and environmental toxicological evaluation of biopesticides against Xylella and its juvenile and adult spittlebug vector formulated in BIOVEXO.
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) is the largest public research organization in Italy, whose mission is to carry out, promote, transfer, encourage and enhance research in the main sectors of knowledge in order to apply the results for the scientific, cultural, technological, economic and social development of the country. Amongst the 109 Institutes belonging to the CNR, the Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection (CNR-IPSP) is specifically dedicated to plant protection in agriculture and forestry.
CNR-IPSP-Bari plays a prominent role in all activities aimed at testing the efficacy of developed biopesticides and bioinsecticides in vitro and in planta. CNR-IPSP-Bari also coordinates the definition and harmonization of shared protocols for field assays with partners operating in different geographical areas. CNR is the leader of Work Package 4 – Large scale validation of control strategies for integrated pest management.
DOMCA, SA (DOMCA), is a Spanish company with more than 40 years of experience offering innovative solutions for the agri-food sector. DOMCA is currently part of DMC Holding business group, constituted by DOMCA Argentina, DOMCA Chile, Biodurcal and DMC Research, a technological-based entity dedicated exclusively to Research, Development and Innovation. The group has a large team of more than 50 employees composed of chemists, biologists and engineers with extensive knowledge related to the agri-food sector.
DOMCA is the leader of Work Package 1 – Antagonistic bacteria and onion extract for X-biopesticides for Xylella control and the leader of Work Package 3 – Biopesticide formulation and upscaling.
Acies Bio Ltd. is a research-driven microbial biotechnology company developing innovative products and platform solutions to build a sustainable and bio-based future. Acies undertakes comprehensive development of innovative microbial technologies, including strain engineering and optimization, media and bioprocess development, downstream processing, pilot-scale production, and finally transfer to industrial scale. Acies Bio has generated a 13-year track record of successful R&D collaboration with more than 30 industrial partners. Several developed technologies are used in multi-ton large scale commercial production and Acies Bio research activities have also led to 11 international patent applications.
Acies Bio is involved in development of economical and sustainable production process for the bacterial based biocontrol solutions for Xylella. Acies aims to develop of the right formulation which will enable delivery of viable material to the plants and an adequate shelf life of the product.
Aimerit SL is a 4th generation family farm located in the town of Santa María del Camí in the Balearic Island of Mallorca and well-known locally for its extension and biodiversity. The farm, which borders the World Heritage Tramuntana mountain range, is focused on maintaining biodiversity, protecting the environment and the sustainable production of crops. Out of a total extension of 173 Hectares, 110 ha are cultivated with almond, carob and olive trees. 65 Ha have been certified for organic production for 16 years. The farm contains 1925 almond trees, 500 olive trees ranging from (5 to -15 years of age), 2600 centennial carob trees and 800 “acebuches” or wild olive trees – some of which are clearly affected by Xylella.
Aimerit conducts field trials of the biopesticides on olives trees and almond trees.
ASAJA (Asociación de Jovenes Agricultores de España) is the most important collective organization of Farmers in Spain (250.000 members from agriculture, farming, livestock and agro-food sectors) representing 100% of the Country’ territory, 60% of the agro-food turnover, and 34% of Spanish farmers. ASAJA has 140 offices all over the Spanish Regions, more than 1600 employees, giving assistance to the thousands of associates (250.000) and representing the legitimate interest of the farmers versus the European and national institutions and governmental and public authorities. ASAJA has a Young Entrepreneur Organization (ANGA), an internal audit (REV), a training agency (ENAPRA), an editorial agency (SEPE) and a service Centre (CAAF
ASAJA coducts curative and preventive trials in Spain on almond trees.