Area
European Union
Commodity Group
Oilseeds, oils and meals
Commodity
Olive tree
Date
18/07/2018
Policy Category
Other
Policy Instrument
Disease control
Description
Developed a remote, airborne imaging method capable of scanning orchards and detecting olive trees infected by the xylella fastidiosa bacterium before visible symptoms appear.
Notes
A group of researchers supported by the European Commission developed a remote, airborne imaging method capable of scanning orchards and detecting olive trees infected by the xylella fastidiosa bacterium before any visible symptoms appear, thus allowing for rapid and accurate mapping of infected plants. Reportedly, once trees are infected, they may show no symptoms for up to one year, during which time ordinary sap-feeding insects may be transmitting the infection. Therefore, early detection is deemed crucial for controlling damage and preventing the disease from spreading.
