Eco-epidemiological uncertainties of emerging plant diseases : the challenge of predicting Xylella fastidiosa dynamics in novel environments

Occhibove, F; Chapman, DS; Mastin, A; Parnell, SR; Agstner, B; Mato-Amboage, R; Jones, G; Dunn, M; Pollard, CRJ; Robinson, JS; Marzano, M; Davies, AL; White, RM; Fearne, A; White, S

Abstract

In order to prevent and control the emergence of biosecurity threats such as vector-borne diseases of plants, it is vital to understand drivers of entry, establishment, and spatio-temporal spread, as well as the form, timing and effectiveness of disease management strategies. An inherent challenge for policy in combatting emerging disease is the uncertainty associated with intervention planning in areas not yet affected, based on models and data from current outbreaks. Following the recent high-profile emergence of the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa in several European countries, we review the most pertinent epidemiological uncertainties concerning this bacterium dynamics in novel environments. To reduce the considerable ecological and socio-economic impacts of these outbreaks, eco-epidemiological research in a broader range of environmental conditions needs to be conducted and used to inform policy to enhance disease risk assessment, and support successful policy-making decisions. By characterising infection pathways, we can highlight the uncertainties that surround our knowledge of this disease, drawing attention to how these are amplified when trying to predict and manage outbreaks in currently unaffected locations. To help guide future research and decision-making processes, we invited experts in different fields of plant pathology to identify data to prioritise when developing pest-risk assessments. Our analysis revealed that epidemiological uncertainty is mainly driven by the large variety of hosts, vectors, and bacterial strains, leading to a range of different epidemiological characteristics further magnified by novel environmental conditions. These results offer new insights on how eco-epidemiological analyses can enhance understanding of plant disease spread and support management recommendations.

Citation

Occhibove, F., Chapman, D., Mastin, A., Parnell, S., Agstner, B., Mato-Amboage, R., …White, S. (2020). Eco-epidemiological uncertainties of emerging plant diseases : the challenge of predicting Xylella fastidiosa dynamics in novel environments. Phytopathology, 110(11), 1740-1750. https://doi.org/10.1094/phyto-03-20-0098-rvw

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 18, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Sep 20, 2020
• Publication Date: Oct 8, 2020
• Deposit Date: Oct 1, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 9, 2020
• Journal: Phytopathology
• Print ISSN: 0031-949X
• Electronic ISSN: 1943-7684
• Publisher: American Phytopathological Society
• Volume: 110
• Issue: 11
• Pages: 1740-1750
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1094/phyto-03-20-0098-rvw
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-03-20-0098-RVW
• Related Public URLs: https://apsjournals.apsnet.org/journal/phyto
• Additional Information: Additional Information : ** From Crossref via Jisc Publications Router **Journal IDs: pissn 0031-949X; eissn 1943-7684 **History: issued 20-09-2020; published_online 20-09-2020; Projects : BRIGIT;Xylella Fastidiosa Active Containment Through a multidisciplinary-Oriented Research Strategy;Capacity Building and Raising Awareness in Europe and in Third Countries to Cope with Xylella fastidiosa; Grant Number: BB/S016325/1; Grant Number: 727987 –XF-ACTORS; Grant Number: 734353 – CURE-XF