France acts against olive disease outbreak in Corsica

News of an outbreak usually refers to a virus or bacteria making people dangerously ill across a city or a country. However, on the French island of Corsica – authorities are worried about another kind of plague victim: olive trees. According to a BBC News report, French officials are battling an outbreak of Xylella fastidiosa, a bacterium spread by insects that attack olive trees, citrus trees, and vineyards. The disease caused by the bacteria often kills its host by blocking off sap in the plant’s vascular xylem tissue, killing via dehydration.

Don’t miss our comprehensive report on Xf disease in the coming September edition of Olivegrower & Processor.