The Plant Pathology and Microbiology group at the Institute of Agri-Food Technology of the University of Girona, led by Dr. Emilio Montesinos, is conducting the selection of natural and synthetic functional peptides against the subspecies of Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) within the context of the Biostop-Xf project. The objective is to find a potential tool capable of reducing and mitigating the effects caused by the Xf bacteria, which has been identified as the quarantine pathogen with the highest potential impact in the EU across all economic, social, and environmental domains. Xf ranked first on the list of priority quarantine pests/pathogens in the EU.
The attached image shows a panoramic photo of Avijor almond plants awaiting inoculation with Xf in the biosecurity greenhouse at the University of Girona.