European Olive Disease

Ben Dempsey
Link: http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-30737754
Source: BBC
Published: January 9, 2015

Summary: Throughout Southern Italy, a bacterium is spreading. The bacterium, Xylella fastidiosa kills Olive, Oak, Sycamore, Grapevine, and citrus trees. There have been outbreaks of Xylella fastidiosa in North America, and South America before, but never in Europe.  It is transmitted through the sap of the trees and is often spread by insects who feed on the sap of the trees. Once infected, the bacteria slowly kills the tree after an incubation period which the tree is still The greatest threat that the bacteria poses is to Southern Europe's olive crop. The Olives are one of Italy's major exports so if the crop fails, it would be very detrimental to the economy. One of the reasons the bacterium has spread so quickly through Italy is because olives are grown in huge monocultures all across Southern Europe. Drastic measures will have ti be put in place regarding movement of plant material to slow the outbreak. 

Connection: This article is relevant to what we have been learning in class because it is a perfect example of the dangers on monocultures. It shows why we should be growing many different kinds of crops instead of one. This would prevent pests spreading and reduce pesticide use. Another way this is relevant to what we have learned is it talks about how invasive species can kill large amounts of native plants due to their lack of defenses and protection.  Xylella fastidiosa is native to North America where the plants have developed resistance to the bacteria. In Europe, the plants are defenseless and killed easily. Some of the Olive trees might have mutations that prevent them from being killed by the bacteria. This would be an example of adaption on the Olive's part. The plants without the mutation would die and this would be an example of Natural Selection.