Diseases Caused by Xylella fastidiosa and Methods of Prevention and Eradication in Infected Areas

In recent years, symptoms of Xylella fastidiosa have been reported on fruit trees and barren trees in some parts of Iran. This bacterium is a gram-negative gamma proteobacter of rod-shape prokaryotes, which mainly causes leaf burn symptoms. X. fastidiosa is transmitted exclusively by wood sap and insect belonging to the order Hemiptera and suborder Auchenorrhyncha. The vector acquires this bacterium by feeding on wood sap of an infected plant, and can inoculate it into healthy plants immediately after acquisition. Diseases caused by X. fastidiosa occur mainly in tropical and subtropical regions, and the report of this prokaryote from several crops in Iran can be a warning sign for its spread to other important economic products such as olives and citrus. Serological and molecular methods are suitable for pathogen detection. On the other hand, effective strategies for managing diseases caused by this bacterium are being developed. Prevention and control are appropriate measures that should be taken to reduce the impact of X. fastidiosa outbreak and control the outbreak. Along with any strategy used to manage X. fastidiosa infestations, the implementation of "appropriate garden management practices" should not be overlooked. A special monitoring program to search for pathogens should be carried out in each nursery in the designated areas. In this article, we will review existing strategies for managing diseases caused by the bacterium X. fastidiosa, and provide specific strategies for implementing a possible program, including biological and chemical control, nutrition, management, and best gardening practices.