Many studies and research projects are currently underway both at a domestic and international level concerning the PSA agent.
The DAFNE phytobacteriology group has been collaborating with a number of international research groups (Bio-Protection Research Centre, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Lincoln University, and the New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research of Christchurch, NZ) to study the epidemiology of such a feared bacteria.
In particular, they are working on establishing the areas where the PSA might spread or cause further damage.
In Asia, a small area in Northern Iran was identified as extremely at risk and in China both models identified the Yunnan and Guangxi regions as also at risk, together with Southern Laos and Vietnam.
If we consider how the disease is progressively spreading, we can see how such studies are extremely helpful. The results are particularly important for the US, Iran, Greece, Belgium, Denmark and South Africa. Research is also useful to identify the different factors that contribute to the spreading of the disease and therefore to come up with a strategy to address and contain the problem.
For further info:
Prof. Giorgio M. Balestra
DAFNE (Department for Agriculture, Forestry, Nature and Energy)
University of Tuscia
Via S. Camillo de Lellis
01100 Viterbo
Tel.: (+39) 0761 357474
Fax: (+39) 0761 357434
Email: balestra@unitus.it
Web: www.unitus.it
Skype: giorba5618
Personal webpage: www.dafne.unitus.it/web/interna.asp?idPag=1118
After some results were presented during last year's first international Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (PSA) convention in New Zealand, further results were presented in the latest issue of the Rivista di Frutticoltura in the Actinidia dossier (Frutticoltura 1/2 2014, pp. 22-29; title of the research: Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (PSA): a forecast on possible spreading, Authors: H.A. Narouei Khandan, S.P. Worner, E.E. Jones, S.L.H. Villjanen-Rollinson L. Gallipoli, A. Mazzaglia, G.M. Balestra).
The quick diffusion of the bacteriosis meant that a huge effort was made to develop models that could predict risk levels. The potential spreading of the PSA was calculated with two well-known models (CLIMEX and MaxEnt) on the basis of available disease and environmental data. The forecast could provide sufficient information for technicians to take adequate precautions in order to prevent the disease and defend crops. This is particularly useful for those countries where the disease still has not fully developed or which are still unaffected.
The quick diffusion of the bacteriosis meant that a huge effort was made to develop models that could predict risk levels. The potential spreading of the PSA was calculated with two well-known models (CLIMEX and MaxEnt) on the basis of available disease and environmental data. The forecast could provide sufficient information for technicians to take adequate precautions in order to prevent the disease and defend crops. This is particularly useful for those countries where the disease still has not fully developed or which are still unaffected.
Both models established that the Western parts of Turkey, the South-West of Greece and Northern and Central Portugal are at risk.
Results obtained with the MacxEnt model
Red and yellow represent the areas most at risk.
Red and yellow represent the areas most at risk.
In Asia, a small area in Northern Iran was identified as extremely at risk and in China both models identified the Yunnan and Guangxi regions as also at risk, together with Southern Laos and Vietnam.
If we consider how the disease is progressively spreading, we can see how such studies are extremely helpful. The results are particularly important for the US, Iran, Greece, Belgium, Denmark and South Africa. Research is also useful to identify the different factors that contribute to the spreading of the disease and therefore to come up with a strategy to address and contain the problem.
For further info:
Prof. Giorgio M. Balestra
DAFNE (Department for Agriculture, Forestry, Nature and Energy)
University of Tuscia
Via S. Camillo de Lellis
01100 Viterbo
Tel.: (+39) 0761 357474
Fax: (+39) 0761 357434
Email: balestra@unitus.it
Web: www.unitus.it
Skype: giorba5618
Personal webpage: www.dafne.unitus.it/web/interna.asp?idPag=1118