Update of the Xylella spp. host plant database

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA periodically updates the database on the host plants of Xylella spp. While previous editions of the database (2015 and 2016) dealt with the species X. fastidiosa only, the new updated database and the related scientific report (EFSA, 2018) addresses the whole genus Xylella, including therefore both species X. fastidiosa and X. taiwanensis.

The information on host plants of Xylella spp. was retrieved from scientific literature up to November 2017 and from Europhyt notifications up to May 2018. The applied protocol for the extensive literature review, data collection and reporting are described in detail in the scientific report.

The current database includes 563 plant species reported infected by Xylella spp., of which for 312 plant species the infection was determined with at least two different detection methods. These species cover 264 genera in 82 botanical families (152 genera in 61 botanical families when considering only records with at least two different detection methods). Information on tolerant and resistant response of plant varieties to Xylella spp. is also included.

This updated database of Xylella spp. host plants provides a key tool for risk management, risk assessment and scientific research on this polyphagous bacterial plant pathogen.

The Excel File contains several sheets: the LEGENDA (with extensive description of each table), the full detailed raw data of the Xylella spp. host plant database (sheet “observation”), the list of host plant species, genera and families (sheets “host_species_evaluated”, “host_genus_evaluated” and “host_family_evaluated”), and examples of data extraction (tables 7 to 14, figure 6, Appendices A to D) that are included in the scientific report.