New Xylella variant found in Puglia

(ANSA) - ROME, FEB 22 - A new variant of the Xylella fastidiosa plant pathogen, which has been killing olive trees in southern Italy after first being detected here in 2013, has been found in the province of Bari town of Triggiano, Puglia Regional Agriculture Chief Donato Pentassuglia told ANSA on Thursday.
    Pentassuglia said the new variant, named 'Xylella fastidiosa fastidiosa', had attacked six almond trees and the results of lab tests had confirmed it was a new form of the pathogen.
    He said his department would sign an order for the infected trees to be cut down on Thursday and for tests to be run on the plants within a radius of 800 metres.
    "This discovery highlights the great job we are doing in Puglia, leaving nothing to chance and continuing with constant monitoring," said Pentassuglia.
    "We carry out checks at over one hundred sites, and this discovery is the result of this demanding, but effective, work.
    "We must not create alarmism but neither should we lower our guard.
    "We do not yet know whether the variant is more or less aggressive, whether it is virulent. Research will establish this.
    "But what we must use the utmost caution because the vector can potentially also affect vines". (ANSA).