Xylella fastidiosa, Possible New Threat to Chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) in Italy

Abstract

This is the first worldwide report of X. fastidiosa (Xf) subsp. pauca on Castanea sativa and the first characterization of Xf infection on this species. Plants located in three sites (in a long-term affected area in Apulia) were monitored for symptoms and bacterial concentrations in spring and summer, while microscopic analyses were performed to evaluate the pathogen distribution in the xylem vessels. All chestnut plants appeared asymptomatic but the Xf subsp. pauca strain “De Donno” was present at low concentrations (1.14 × 104 and 1.56 × 103 cfu mL−1 in April and June) and with a low incidence (respectively, 38% and 30%). The FISH-CLSM (Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization—Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope) analysis showed evident Xf occlusions but in a low percentage (9.2 ± 3.4%); these data can explain the lack of symptoms on the canopy. Furthermore, through a bibliographic analysis it emerged that Philaenus spumarius and Neophilaenus campestris, two Xf vectors present in Europe, are suckling feeding insects on chestnut trees and could be involved in the bacterial transmission to this species. Asymptomatic Xf host species can play a considerable role in new outbreak emergence or in the expansion of existing ones. So, it is essential to identify them to plan more effective monitoring activities.