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Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - POnTE (Pest Organisms Threatening Europe)

Teaser

Summary

The Project â€œPest Organisms Threatening Europeâ€ (POnTE), focuses on minimizing the risk of introduction/impact of emerging pests threatening EU crops, ornamental and forest plant species. The project addresses the following pathogens: 1) Xylella fastidiosa and its vectors, with main activities investigating the interactions Xylella-olive, the main affected EU crop; 2) â€˜Ca. Liberibacter solanacearumâ€™ and its vectors affecting a number of strategic crops such as potato, tomato and carrot and 3) Hymenoscyphus fraxineus and Phytophthora spp., posing serious threats to broadleaf and conifer species in forest ecosystems. The project workplan is based on multidisciplinary tasks that include biological and molecular studies, field, greenhouse and laboratory experiments, as well as economic and social impact evaluations. All the expected results will (i) feed and implement pest risk assessment tools; (ii) support development of preventative actions (early detection and surveillance tools); (iii) develop IPM strategy based on the disease resistance, disease-free seed and planting material, use of cultural practices and alternative environmentally-friendly treatments; (iv) support knowledge-based decision-making policies at the EU level. The project fosters and promotes a multi-actor approach and transnational research collaboration among 25 Partners. It involves key SMEs that develop diagnostic kits and services, agrochemical and seed companies and stakeholder groups.

Work performed

Xf - Isolation and culturing of several isolates has been accomplished, incrising the availability of Xf strains in collections, and promoting biological and genetic studies. Pathogenicity tests have been successfully unraveled the role of the Apulian strain in the aetiology of the olive quick decline syndrome. NGS strategies have been used to recover the full genome of the strain â€œDe Donnoâ€. Typing of the EU strains recovered from different hosts and in different outbreaks through MLST analysis revealed the wide genetic diversity. Diagnostic tools for rapid and sensitive detection have been optimized and validated . Airborne remote sensing campaigns carried out in Apulia collected hyperspectral and thermal images that allowed to identify â€œplant indicesâ€ associated to pre-visually identification of infected trees. Data on the biology, host preference and seasonal population dynamic of xylem sap-feeders have been collected. Transmission experiments identified two new Xf vectors in EU. Activities exploring innovatives tools for the control of this bacterium in the hosts are advancing: Diffusible Signalling Factors regulating the Xf impact in the hosts, or the potential beneficial effects of endotherapy administration of N-acetylcysteine and Paraburkholderia phytofirmans. Experimental data on the resistance/susceptibility of olive cultivars have been gathered and several strategies for vector control are under evaluation.
CaLsol - Surveys on different crops and weeds identified new host plants in the Apiaceae family. The bacterium was detected in two new psyllids, Trioza anthrisci and T. urticae. New findings of CaLsol were reported in the in Israel and in Tunisia. New MLST schemes have been developed and NGS approaches used to obtain full genome sequences of haplotype C and D, allowing for genomic analysis and metabolic pathway reconstruction. Molecular identification of Bactericera cockerelli and T. apicalis has been accomplished. EPG studies have disclosed probing and feeding behavior of B. trigonica and B. tremblayi, whose results provide scientific evidences on the high/low risks related to the transmission from Apiaceae to potato.
A field robot has been designed and built to automate the capture of images and the mapping of a horticultural field with the aim of detecting asymptomatic CaLsol infected plant.
Spatial and temporal dynamics of the bacterium and vector have been studied and landscape epidemiology of Calsol studied by logistic model fitted to observed binomial occurrence of CaLsol in carrots. The CaLsol prevalence in seed lots from different countries and the effectiveness of seed treatments for pathogen suppression were investigated. Promising results to control the two known CaLsol vectors in Europe were obtained with kaolin, natural pyrethrins, Beauveria bassiana, paraffin oil and maltodextrin based products, however, insect net was far the best protection for preventing psyllid feeding damage and CaLsol transmission.
Hf and Phy
Surveys have been carried out for the presence of Hf in countries where the disease has been recently introduced in countries were the disease is present since longer time. In 2016, the teleomorph of Hf was for the first time observed in a natural ecosystem in Serbia. The disease was detected for the first time in Montenegro and the Isle of Man. In 2018 Hf was detected on other Fraxinus species and on non-Fraxinus species in the UK and this is of relevant significance. Ongoing studies on the relationship between tree stability and visually detectable symptoms caused by Hf (and secondary pathogens) are of high importance for the security reasons, i.e. trees growing along roads, train lines or public accessed areas. A collection of isolates/DNA has been compiled from Austria, Norway, UK, Serbia and Montenegro. Ash seedlings have been planted in 15 locations, to screen for tolerance again Hf. A hot-water treatment has been tested as a control measure for Hf eradication in seeds.

Final results

POnTE is providing a deep understanding of the genetic/pathogenicity of the target pests, for which scarce scientific information are available at EU level, the introduction pathways not demonstrated and their behavior under EU conditions still unknown in most cases. The new information will have wide implications for other invasive or recurring pathosystems by advancing knowledge and new technology. The effective control of key pests will mitigate negative social impacts (i.e. finding of source of resistance to Xf will open the possibility to keep the olive industry; the appropriate use of tillage will allow a more sustainable vector control ). Economic benefits of increased farmer income will be realised in terms of (i) reduced yield losses on commercial plantations and small holder farms; (ii) reduced losses due to disease; (iii) lower labor costs; and (iv) increased yield brought about by the adoption of improved management practices. Similarly, nurserymen will benefit from the higher phytosanitary standards and quality to fulfilling specific requirements to avoid pathogen contamination in propagating materials. In addition, diagnostic and agro-engineering companies will benefit from new products/protocols (kits, protocols and devices) for improving early detection of the EU key emerging pests.