Update on the situation of Xylella fastidiosa in Iran and first record on alfalfa
In Iran, Xylella fastidiosa (EPPO A2 List) was first reported in 2014 on symptomatic grapevine (Vitis vinifera) and almond (Prunus dulcis) and in 2019 on pistachio (Pistacia vera) trees. Studies in 2019 identified two subspecies: X. fastidiosa subsp. fastidiosa from grapes, and X. fastidiosa subsp. multiplex from pistachios and almonds.
A systematic sampling campaign was carried out in crops of different Iranian regions over the summer from 2019 to 2022, in the regions of Qazvin, Isfahan, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Gilan, Zanjan, Tehran, and the central regions of Hormozgan and Kerman. In total 403 samples were collected from different crops, including alfalfa (Medicago sativa), almond, cherry, citrus, grapevine, olive and pistachio. X. fastidiosa was not detected in olive, citrus and cherry. X. fastidiosa was detected in 9 samples (out of 176) of grapevine from Qazvin province, as well as in 5 samples (out of 123) of almond and 5 (out of 18) of alfalfa from the provinces of Isfahan and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari. The subspecies present on alfalfa was identified as X. fastidiosa subsp. fastidiosa.
Sources
Ghanbari D, Hasanzadeh N, Ghayeb Zamharir M, Nasr S, El Handi K, Elbeaino T (2024) Detection and characterization of Xylella fastidiosa in Iran: first report in alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Phytopathologia Mediterranea 63(3), 335-342. https://doi.org/10.36253/phyto-15569