Biovexo talks about Xylella with Dr Blanca Landa of the BeXyl project

Biovexo talks to Dr Blanca Landa of the BeXyl project about Integrated Pest Management strategies and helping farmers, foresters, and nurseries in Europe affected by Xylella fastidiosa (X. fastidiosa) to continue being productive.
Dr Blanca Landa © Blanca Landa (BeXyl Project)

Welcome to our latest blog on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and the BeXyl project! In this blog, we’ll meet Dr Blanca Landa, a Research Scientist at the Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (ISA) and President of the Spanish Phytopathological Society (SEF), and Project Coordinator of the BeXyl project. We’ll then discuss the importance of Integrated Pest Management and how the BeXyl project is working to tackle Xylella fastidiosa (X. fastidiosa) outbreaks.

Dr Blanca Landa © Blanca Landa (BeXyl Project)
Researcher profile: Dr Blanca Landa, PhD in Agricultural Engineering, is a Research Scientist at the Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, part of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), and is currently serving as the President of the Spanish Phytopathological Society (SEF). With over 25 years of experience in plant pathology and molecular microbiology, her research focuses on areas such as: Population Biology and Biogeography of Plant Pathogens and Biocontrol Agents; Integrated Control of Plant Pathogens; Soil and Rhizosphere Microbial Ecology; Quarantine of Plant Pathogens; Genetic Diversity and Molecular Diagnosis of Plant Pathogens; and, Plant Microbiomes.
Landa is involved in numerous research activities related to Xylella fastidiosa (X. fastidiosa), including: studying the bacteria’s host’s range, its pathogenicity,  its population biology, and its genomics; molecular approaches for quantification, typing, and in-situ detection of X. fastidiosa in plants and vectors; use of thermal treatments for sanitation of X. fastidiosa-free plants; identification of plant resistance to X. fastidiosa in woody crops; developing synthetic communities of xylem-inhabiting bacteria to fight against X. fastidiosa; and, analysis of the ecological impacts associated with X. fastidiosa outbreaks. As BeXyl project coordinator, Landa’s primary goal is that the consortium produces exceptional Research  and Innovation to help better tackle X. fastidiosa outbreaks.

We asked her about the significance of early detection of Xylella fastidiosa (X. fastidiosa) and the current surveillance programs in place. She emphasised that prevention is the best cure – once X. fastidiosa establishes itself, it is practically impossible to cure infected plants. For this reason, the BeXyl project is focusing on strengthening preventive strategies and developing methods for surveillance, early detection, and monitoring of X. fastidiosa and its vectors. The BeXyl project aims to develop innovative tools and sustainable IPM strategies to mitigate the impact of X. fastidiosa in infested areas and prevent the bacteria’s spread, whilst maintaining crop productivity, and protecting surrounding ecosystems. Adopting a multi-actor approach, the project will consider stakeholders’ needs and perspectives throughout the project lifetime.

´The best way to control X. fastidiosa diseases is to avoid its entrance or establishment into a territory since, once it becomes established in a region, it is almost impossible to cure the infected plants. To date, no curative or control tools exist to eliminate X. fastidiosa from diseased plants in open fields once the bacterium is established.´

Although official surveys and monitoring are being conducted in all EU states, Landa believes that there is a need for improvement in the tools used and their efficiency. The BeXyl project aims to address this by introducing new in-field methods to quickly and accurately identify infected plants and quantify vectors using tools such as insect traps, high through-put sequencing, airborne and satellite hyperspectral and thermal images, canine olfactory detection for phytosanitary inspections at pots and nurseries, and optimised statistical survey designs for X. fastidiosa and its vector, the spittlebug.

Moving on from early detection and surveillance programs, we discussed the key objectives of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and how it can respond to Xylella outbreaks in Europe. Landa highlighted how the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO)’s definition of IPM encourages the careful consideration of all available pest control techniques and the integration of appropriate measures to restrict pest population growth whilst reducing or minimising risks to human health and the environment.

Landa reminded us that the EU is especially promoting IPM approaches that reduce the negative environmental impacts of excessive pesticide and fertiliser use in crop production. Landa listed the three key IPM components as follows:

Host resistance – the main pillar of a successful IPM strategy for X. fastidiosa diseases. BeXyl focuses on identifying olive and almond trees (the two crops most affected by X. fastidiosa epidemics in Europe) with natural resistance to X. fastidiosa and seeks better understanding of the genetic features that make these trees resistant to X. fastidiosa. BeXyl also uses molecular tools to establish the foundation of breeding programs in these crops and explores the use of heat-treatment (thermotherapy) to improve the phytosanitary status of plant propagative materials.

Vector control – BeXyl explores innovative approaches to controlling the insects that spread X. fastidiosa using biological control agents such as fungi and viruses, as well as natural enemies like parasitoids, to reduce transmission of the bacteria.  

Pathogen control – BeXyl explores bio-control approaches for X. fastidiosa by analysing the characteristics of the xylem microbiome to develop synthetic microbial communities that can be applied to plants, as well as other novel approaches based on phage cocktails (combinations of viruses that infect bacteria), functional peptides (important molecules that form part of cells, enzymes, hormones etc.), and new antimicrobial compounds of natural origin. Additionally, BeXyl seeks to unravel the environmental drivers of X. fastidiosa epidemics.

´If BeXyl is able to identify some of the potential barriers preventing the adoption of IPM schemes, we can support the co-development of solutions and encourage their uptake. The economic analysis that will be developed in BeXyl for the implementation of IPM solutions at regional and farm level can provide some policy guidelines to help in the provision of subsidies or to promote the implementation of IPM by farmers.´

Landa explained that BeXyl is aiming to develop economically and environmentally sound tools and technologies, mainly based on bio-control, for effective X. fastidiosa management in farming and forestry, in line with the principles of IPM (Directive 2009/128/EC), the EU Green Deal and Farm-to-Fork strategy. BeXyl will consider both conventional and organic sectors, and will develop novel tools and sustainable strategies to mitigate the impact of X. fastidiosa on infected areas while preventing spread to other EU territories, maintaining crop productivity, and ecosystems. Landa explained that BeXyl seeks to address all components of the X. fastidiosa patho-system.

On this photo: Blanca Landa

We also talked with Landa about different challenges to implementing successful IPM programs. She explained that various barriers to successful implementation exist. However, given the urgent need to mitigate the impacts of X. fastidiosa infections in Europe, BeXyl aims to provide the region with validated and sustainable tactics and strategies to combat the spread and impact of this disease. According to Landa, this requires bringing together existing knowledge and generating new knowledge to develop integrated modelling tools that describe the X. fastidiosa pathosystems and explore risk scenarios at different spatial and temporal scales, taking into account the diversity of agroecosystems in Europe. Additionally, she highlights the need to set up and conduct trials to validate the efficacy of different disease control options for Europe’s diverse crops and agroecosystems. However, such trials present a challenge as they can only be carried out in areas under X. fastidiosa containment and not in areas undergoing X. fastidiosa eradication.

´There is an urgent need to provide Europe with tools, tactics, and strategies to mitigate the impacts of X. fastidiosa infections.´

Finally, we asked Landa which EU directives and/or initiatives could provide additional support for successful IPM implementation across the EU. Landa reminded us that agriculture and rural areas are central to the European Green Deal and the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will play a key role in reaching the Farm to Fork and other biodiversity strategies in Europe. She also emphasised the importance of considering stakeholders’ needs and potential environmental impacts when designing effective IPM solutions for the management of X. fastidiosa outbreaks. Successful adoption of IPM practices at a regional scale is necessary for IPM to be effective.

´Agriculture and rural areas are central to the European Green Deal, and the new common agricultural policy (CAP) will be a key tool in reaching the ambitions of the Farm to Fork and biodiversity strategies in Europe. Some of the CAP specific key objectives include: providing viable farm income; contributing to climate change mitigation; efficient natural resource management; and, halting and reversing biodiversity loss. Specific compensation mechanisms will need to be developed in X. fastidiosa outbreak areas to support the agricultural and forestry sectors and enable them to remain productive and meet CAP objectives.´

Achieving the CAP objectives will be difficult for farmers and foresters located in X. fastidiosa affected areas. Specific compensation mechanisms must be developed in outbreak areas to help the agricultural and forestry sectors remain productive. BeXyl outputs can help coordinate and implement EU/national strategies for managing X. fastidiosa outbreaks and provide new directions for improving plant health management in future outbreaks. Identifying potential barriers to the adoption of IPM schemes can help develop solutions and encourage their uptake. The economic analysis developed in BeXyl for implementing IPM solutions at regional and farm level can provide policy guidelines for providing subsidies or encouraging farmers to adopt IPM practices.

On this photo: BeXyl project partners

Thank you Dr Landa for this fascinating insight into some of the important work being done by the BeXyl project to combat X. fastidiosa!

This blog is part of a collaborative communications promotion with the BeXyl project: check out their interview on the BIOVEXO project, featuring Scientific Coordinator Dr. Stéphane Compant from AIT Austrian Institute of Technology and Senior Researcher Pasquale Saldarelli from the Italian National Research Council (CNR).

The BIOVEXO project has received funding from the Bio Based Industries Joint Undertaking (JU) under grant agreement No 887281. The JU receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and the Bio Based Industries Consortium.

To learn more about the BIOVEXO project and the research plan, click here.

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