Comparative transcriptomics of biopesticide-treated olives subjected to Xylella infection
Xylella fastidiosa is an endophytic commensal which moves from the site of injection to colonize the xylem network of infected plants. In this compartiment it induces vessel occlusion and a general hydraulic failure, resembling a drought stress condition. The progressive onset of symptoms of desiccation then leads to the plant dying off. One way to combat X. fastidiosa is the development and application of biopesticides. Designing and producing effective biopesticides however requires the understanding of their mode of action (MoA), a knowledge that can also be acquired by the study of the plant gene expression upon the biopesticide application. Therefore, we have analyzed the transcriptome profiles of olives when treated with two potential biopesticides against Xylella fastidiosa subspecies pauca ST53, the strain that is devastating the olives in Apulia, and one bioinsecticide targeting Philaenus spumarius, its main vector.