Xylella fastidiosa: the status of the infection and control measures in France
Résumé
The xylem-limited bacterium Xylella fastidiosa is the causal agent of diseases on a large host range of plants. It has been observed in Americas since the XIXth century causing notably Pierceís
disease of grape (Vitis vinifera) in North America, citrus variegated chlorosis on orange tree (Citrus sinensis) in South America and diseases on fruit trees (Prunus dulcis, P. domestica, P. persica, etc.), ornamentals (Coffea spp., Nerium oleander, Platanus occidentalis, etc.) and forest trees (Quercus spp., Ulmus spp., etc.). X. fastidiosa is a quarantine pest for the European Union and as such is listed on the directive 2000/29/EC and the introduction of many plants into the European Union is regulated. A risk of introduction is still pending due to the high number of non-regulated plant hosts which are imported from contaminated areas and to the presence of asymptomatic contaminated plants.