An improved delimiting survey approach for Xylella fastidiosa

Abstract

The EU plant health legislation enforces the implementation of intensive surveillance programs for Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) as a quarantine pathogen (Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1201). After a Xf outbreak, delimiting surveys must be implemented to delineate the extent of the pathogen and to execute disease control. The surveillance efficacy can be enhanced by increasing inspection and sampling intensities. Budget constraints often limit survey efforts, thus making it necessary the optimization of surveillance strategies.