EU-COST ACTION CA16107 - EUROXANTH: INTEGRATING SCIENCE ON XANTHOMONADACEAE FOR INTEGRATED PLANT DISEASE MANAGEMENT IN EUROPE.

Bacteria of the family Xanthomonadaceae, including species of
Xanthomonas and Xylella fastidiosa, are devastating plant pathogens.
Many are quarantine organisms in the EU and their study
is of uttermost importance. These pathogens infect all kinds of
crop plants. The COST Action CA16107 “EuroXanth” aims at creating
an interdisciplinary network in order to develop strategies
for sustainably protecting plants and prevent yield losses. COST
(European Cooperation in Science and Technology) is a funding
agency for research and innovation networks. COST Actions help
connect research initiatives and enable scientists to grow and share
ideas with their peers. Specifically, this COST Action addresses
key aspects of the pathogen-vector-host interactions, from the cellular
to the population level. A better insight into population structures
and virulence mechanisms of the pathogens, together with
the exploration of the molecular mechanisms underlying disease
resistance, will enable development of durably resistant plant cultivars
and exploitation of bio-control schemes tailored to population and pathogen. This COST Action has duration of 4 years (March
2017-March 2021) and will generate a platform that gathers experts
from different disciplines, such as molecular diagnostics, molecular
host-microbe interactions, plant resistance breeding, etc. The
network includes 43 working groups from 21 different countries.
Joining their efforts will help to develop and implement effective
plant protection schemes, be it via resistant crop cultivars or via
other control mechanisms. This goal will be achieved by mobilizing
and training scientists from major European institutions, regulatory
bodies and commercial companies working on the various aspects
of this complex of problems.