A Farmer's Guide to Integrated Management of Xylella fastidiosa and its Vector in Olive Groves

A Practical Strategy for a Critical Threat The bacterium Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) represents one of the most severe threats to Mediterranean agriculture in modern history. Its devastating impact was first realized in Apulia, Italy, where the outbreak has destroyed millions of olive trees since 2013, causing a staggering 65–80% decline in regional olive production. This guide, drawing on the key findings of the European research project BIOVEXO, is designed to provide olive farmers with a clear, practical, and sustainable Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy to combat this disease. By combining mandatory control measures with new insights on the potential of biopesticides, this document offers a comprehensive action plan to reduce the spread of Xylella fastidiosa, protect the health of your grove, and secure the future of olive cultivation.