Epidemic (plant)

Germany is preparing restrictions after the discovery of plant bacterium Xylella fastidiosa forced vineyards in Mertert and Grevenmacher to be cleared, with buffer zones extending across the border into Rhineland-Palatinate.Xylella fastidiosa is one of the most dangerous plant bacteria worldwide. It causes a variety of diseases and can result in huge economic impact for agriculture, public gardens and the environment.“In case of detection, irrespective of the symptoms and subspecies concerned, all necessary measures shall be taken to eradicate it,” according to guidelines published by the European Commission.Following the outbreak in Luxembourg, buffer zones on the German side of the border, which is also a wine-growing region, extend into the Trier-Saarburg district.More precise measures are due to be set out in an administrative order that will take effect next week, a spokesperson for Germany’s Supervisory and Service Directorate (ADD) said.“Winegrowers are deeply concerned,” said Maximilian Hendgen, managing director of the Moselle winegrowers’ association. This was a new pathogen “with which we have no experience”, he said.It poses a potentially major threat: infected vines in Luxembourg could not be cured and had to be removed. Many other host plants are also susceptible.
Bacterium detected along Moselle and Sauer
Xylella fastidiosa was detected in mid-October at three vineyard sites along the Moselle and Sûre rivers in Luxembourg. The country responded immediately, and work to clear vineyards within the three infected zones has now been completed, a Ministry of Agriculture spokesperson said.Other potential host plants on neighbouring plots are still being removed. The bacterium cannot be transmitted to humans or animals, but can cause substantial damage to fruit crops and vineyards, including killing entire plants within a short time.The three infected zones in Luxembourg cover a total of 2.35 hectares, of which around one hectare is vineyards. Five winegrowers are affected, who will be compensated for their losses.
Previously detected only in the Mediterranean
“Xylella fastidiosa poses a serious threat to vines and a wide range of other host plants,” German agriculture minister Alois Rainer said recently at a meeting of EU agriculture ministers in Luxembourg. The authorities “in our two countries are working closely together to prevent the bacterium from spreading.”The bacterium is listed as a quarantine pest in the EU because of the high risk it poses to domestic fruit, vine and ornamental plant production. Sampling is under way on the German side of the border, the ADD spokeswoman said. So far, Xylella fastidiosa has not been detected in Rhineland-Palatinate.EU agriculture commissioner Christophe Hansen, a member of Luxembourg’s Christian Social People’s Party (CSV), said winegrowers in Luxembourg were very concerned.“This is indeed the first time the bacterium has been detected outside the Mediterranean countries of Italy, Spain, France and Portugal. It is therefore an important issue that requires our attention.”The bacterium was first discovered in the EU in 2013, in olive groves in Italy, he said.
Uncertainty over further infections
The Ministry of Agriculture, headed by Martine Hansen (CSV), said there was uncertainty about how the situation would develop.
“The actual extent of the infection can only be assessed more precisely once the laboratory results for all samples from the buffer zones are available,” the ministry said. “If further infections are detected, additional infected zones and buffer zones may be required.”According to the ADD, Xylella fastidiosa can infect many plant species and cause considerable damage to vines, almond trees and various ornamental and wild plants, among others.It is transmitted mainly by certain insects that feed on sap from the water-conducting vessels of infected plants. These include various species of leafhoppers.Frosty temperatures may help to eradicate the bacterium on the Luxembourg side of the border, said Mareike Schultz, a consultant at the Luxembourg IVV wine institute, adding that the institute is in contact with a number of international experts.Households and farmers in the area have been advised to watch for any symptoms of the bacterium on their plants and inform the IVV of any potential infections.