First identified bacteria strains that severely affect agriculture in Portugal

Several strains of the Xylella Fastidiosa bacteria, associated with Pierce’s disease, are a risk to national agriculture.

An investigation from the Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Coimbra (FCTUC) isolated, For the first time in Portugal, Several strains of the Xylella Fastidiosa Bacteria.

Fastidiosa Xylla is considered by the European Commission a priority quarantine plague, with estimated economic impacts of more than 5.5 billion euros per year in the European Union.

This bacteria is associated with Pierce’s disease – which is a high risk for national agriculture.

The reveals the origin of the introduction of the bacteria and reinforces the need for surveillance of this disease, which can severely affect cultures such as the vineyard and the almond.

The bacteria is present in almost 20 demarcated areas in Portugal, especially in the North and Center.

Now a group of FCTUC researchers isolated, for the first time in the national territory, the Fastidious Subspecies ST1.

«This is a Crucial scientific contribution to understand the real risk of the presence of bacteria in Portugal. The strain we identified, belonging to the ST1, a specific genetic type, is associated with serious diseases in vineyards in the California. Its presence raises concerns for the future of Portuguese cultures, ”says coordinator Joana Costa, in a statement sent to Zap.

Researchers isolated strains in the region of Cova da Beiraone of the main fruit areas of the country; Genomic results suggest a single introduction of bacteria in Portugal, with genetic origin associated with California.

Affected plants include cultivated and wild species, which reinforces the importance of spontaneous vegetation as a possible bacteria reservoir.

The study indicates a single introduction of bacteria in Portugal originating in California; But researchers will look for a ‘Temporal Gap’ (between 3 and 23 years old) In the history of the strain in our country – its date needs initial introduction and dispersion is not yet defined.