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BBC report on using dogs’ sense of smell to scout Xf infected plants

Jan 18, 2023 | News, Uncategorized

The BBC Future Planet published an extensive report on the use of dogs’ sense of smell to identify plants infected by Xylella fastidiosa. The “Xylella Detection Dogs” initiative started in Apulia, Italy, in 2020 thanks to the BeXyl Project‘s partner UNAPROL. Building on the success of the experiments on canines’ detecting Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (the bacterium causing “citrus greening” disease) in citrus, BeXyl Project aims at assessing and developing dog-assisted methods to detect early stage, asymptomatic X. fastidiosa infections.

Currently, training activities focus on obedience and sensitization to X. fastidiosa subsp. pauca strain De Donno ST53 (the causal agent of olive quick decline syndrome) cultures on agar plates, using scent boxes and the pairing approach.

In the BeXyl Project frame, new experiments will include training dogs on different olive cultivars, infected and non-infected, symptomatic and non-symptomatic. Researchers will also assess and validate dog performances ‘on the ground’ in nurseries. Finally, specialized diagnostic laboratories participating in the BeXyl Project will evaluate the performance of canine detection compared to standard diagnostics methods.

Open position for a postdoctoral researcher

Open position for a postdoctoral researcher

Investigating the mechanisms shaping the adaptation of the phytopathogenic bacterium Xylella fastidiosa to its host environments A two-year position for a postdoctoral researcher is open at the IRHS (Research Institute on Horticulture and Seeds) in Angers, France...

The Xf outbreak in Alicante, a talk with Antonio Vicent

The Xf outbreak in Alicante, a talk with Antonio Vicent

In 2017, researchers found Xylella fastidiosa in mainland Spain for the first time, in one plot of almond trees in El Castell de Guadalest, near Alicante (Comunidad Valenciana). What is the situation today? We talked to Antonio Vicent, Plant Protection and...

In Apulia Xf infected 21 million olive trees, estimates suggest

In Apulia Xf infected 21 million olive trees, estimates suggest

Since 2013 Xylella fastidiosa has infected 21 million olive trees in Apulia, covering 8,000 square kilometers, the 40% of the Region territory, the Italian national media report. The data rely on the estimates of Coldiretti, the most prominent farmers' organization in...

Studies on priming give new momentum to research on Xf resistance

Studies on priming give new momentum to research on Xf resistance

The results of new studies on the "priming" mechanism in grapevine plants may give new momentum to research on resistance to Xylella fastidiosa. In a paper published on New Phytologist, researchers from California universities Riverside and Davies illustrated the...

EFSA launches a comic strip on Xf

EFSA launches a comic strip on Xf

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) started the publication of a comic strip to raise awareness of Xylella fastidiosa risks for plant health. The communication product, entitled “Fastidious X, the fearsome killer”, leads the readers to discover how science is...

Xylella files: Xf is a global issue, let’s improve communication

Xylella files: Xf is a global issue, let’s improve communication

The communication on Xylella fastidiosa must grow to keep pace with an expanding worldwide community concerned with the pathogen, a top-class experts' round table concluded last week.  The last meeting of the "Xylella Files" spring seminars took place on 2 May, with...