Absence of Xylella fastidiosa in Morocco
A nation-wide survey for Xylella fastidiosa (EPPO A2 List) was conducted in Morocco from March 2020 to July 2021 in areas planted with olive (Olea europaea), almond (Prunus dulcis) and Citrus spp. trees in seven regions of Morocco by El Handi et al. (2022). In total 51 commercial orchards were inspected, and 1007 symptomatic plants sampled: 657 olive trees from five regions (Tanger, Béni Mellal, Marrakech, Errachidia, and Meknès), 170 citrus trees from two regions (Azilal and Meknès) and 180 almond trees from three regions (Meknès, Haouz, and Gharb). Samples were tested by ELISA and PCR. No positive samples were found.
In addition, surveys on potential vectors were conducted by Haddad et al. (2021) in 2019 and 2020 in 85 sites in 25 provinces (in 7 regions) across the country. Using sweeping nets, 2604 specimens belonging to the Auchenorrhyncha suborder (Hemiptera) were collected. A total of 213 samples from different crops (almond, olive, citrus, grapevine) and two ornamental plants (Nerium oleander and Polygala spp.) were collected and tested for the presence of X. fastidiosa by ELISA and PCR during the same period and within the same surveyed provinces (plus two additional ones, i.e. 27 provinces). All test results were negative. The surveys on vectors showed that five potential insect vectors occur, namely Philaenus tesselatus, P. maghresignus, Philaenus sp., Neophilaenus campestris and N. lineatus. They were mainly present in the northern part of Morocco. Philaenus tesselatus was the most commonly found spittlebug and should be considered the main potential vector of X. fastidiosa in Morocco. Philaenus spumarius was not found during these surveys.
The situation of Xylella fastidiosa in Morocco can be described as follows: Absent, confirmed by survey.
Sources
El Handi K, Hafidi M, Sabri M, Frem M, El Moujabber M, Habbadi K, Haddad N, Benbouazza A, Abou Kubaa R, Achbani EH (2022) Continuous pest surveillance and monitoring constitute a tool for sustainable agriculture: case of Xylella fastidiosa in Morocco. Sustainability 14(3), 1485. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14031485.
Haddad N, Afechtal M, Streito JC, Ouguas Y, Benkirane R, Lhomme P, Smaili MC (2021) Occurrence in Morocco of potential vectors of Xylella fastidiosa that may contribute to the active spread of the bacteria. Annales de la Société entomologique de France 57(4), 359-371.