Candy discovery for the wine trade — Science Information, June 29, 1974
Pierce’s illness stays an issue for California grape growers.… [Pathologists] have recognized the reason for the illness. They have been in a position to isolate a small, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterium which might be a brand new species and subsequently as but unnamed.
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Pierce’s illness nonetheless vexes California vineyards and is estimated to price the state greater than $100 million per 12 months. However researchers now know extra in regards to the perpetrator: Xylella fastidiosa.
The bacterium spreads amongst grapevines through bugs, particularly sharpshooter leafhoppers and spittlebugs. When the bugs suck sap from an contaminated plant, they choose up the microbe, which harmlessly multiplies of their mouths. Leafhoppers and spittlebugs then transmit the pathogen to vines after they latch onto a wholesome plant. The following an infection prevents water and vitamins from flowing into the plant, ultimately killing it.
There’s nonetheless no therapy for Pierce’s illness. Maybe sooner or later will probably be potential to genetically engineer domesticated grapevines to be proof against the micro organism.
