Nursery Papers

Keeping Xylalla Fastidiosa out of Australia

What every nursery can do now

Imagine losing your entire crop – and your market – to one unseen disease.

That’s what growers overseas have faced with Xylella fastidiosa, one of the world’s most damaging plant pathogens. Since its discovery in the Americas, it has devastated crops across Europe and Asia, wiping out
millions of plants and disrupting trade worth billions.

Australia remains Xylella-free – and keeping it that way depends on the vigilance of production nurseries.
Healthy, traceable plants are the first line of defence.

This paper explains what Xylella fastidiosa is, why it’s such a serious risk, and how you can protect your
business and the broader industry.

What is Xylella fastidiosa?

Xylella fastidiosa is a bacterium that lives in the xylem – the part of a plant that moves water and nutrients from roots to leaves. It multiplies inside those water channels, forming sticky clumps (biofilms) that block the flow. Plants begin to show signs of drought stress even when the soil is moist.

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