Prevention of X. fastidiosa in intensive olive & almond plantations applying productive green farming practices (LIFE RESILIENCE)

The bacterium Xylella fastidiosa (XF) has led to diseases in woody crops and trees, throughout France, Germany and Spain. In 2013 more a million olive trees developed olive quick decline syndrome, as a result of the bacterium. The EU considers XF to be “one of the most dangerous plant bacteria worldwide”, with a high potential to transfer to different species and across different areas. Preliminary research has identified regions with temperate winters to be most at risk of pathogen proliferation, and with current climate change projections, the problem is set to get worse. Currently, elimination and containment of the XF bacteria is difficult, and the removal of infected plants is costly and has an ecological impact.

LIFE RESILIENCE aims to develop through crossbreeding pathogen-resistant and productive olive genotypes along with innovate natural vector control methods that are effective in preventing the negative effects of XF. In this way, the project leads to the production varieties of olive and olive oils with a range of organoleptic qualities, increasing their competitiveness on the market.

Specifically, the project demonstrates sustainable practices for the intensive production of olive and almonds on 250 ha in Spain, Italy and Portugal. These practices are shown to reduce water consumption, lower the carbon footprint, increase biodiversity and increase resistance to pests and pathogens, all without reducing yield. The outcome is a model of climate change adaptation best practice that is replicable for production of olive, almond and other woody crops (e.g. citrus trees and grapevines). During the project the results are replicated over ten times the pilot area (2 500 ha), facilitated through transnational collaboration with a range of stakeholders.

The project contributes to the EU’s Sustainable Use of pesticides Directive, the 2030 Climate & Energy package and the Soil Thematic Strategy, among others.

Project partners share the progress made in Life Resilience in videos:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VgN91yV6Q4&t=1s
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fX4Ih06Ev-g&t=8s
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6EiVi41AjA&t=1s
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOlvq2dcfFY