In the heart of Salento, between Galatone and Collepasso, hundreds of olive trees affected by the annoying xylella showed a spontaneous recoveryreturning to producing olives and oil with even better characteristics than before. This splendid news emerged during a two day dedicated to sustainable agriculture as part of the Susagri cross -border cooperation project, which involves Italy, Albania and Montenegro.
What is annoying xylella and because it is a problem for olive trees
Much has been spoken in recent years, but now the attention on the annoying Xylella has a little dropped, at least nationally. It is a Highly harmful pathogen bacterium For many plants that in Italy has impressed above all the olive trees, particularly in the south of Puglia. The bacterium infected the vascular system of the plant, preventing the correct flow of water and nutrients. This causes the rapid drying of the branches, a disease known as the “complex of the rapid drying of olive trees” (codiric).
The infected olive trees show leaves that dry out and fall, branches that die and, in many cases, the whole plant dies within a few years. The diffusion of Xylella caused a real agricultural and landscape emergency, putting traditional olive cultivation, pillar of the Salento economy and culture at risk.
Spontaneous recovery in the coastal dune park
As the experts of the Coastal Dune Regional Park said, the natural area located between Lecce and Brindisi, Some plants infected with xylella seem to have developed a form of natural resistance. The plants, after a period of suffering, “awakened” and started producing healthy olives again.
The analyzes conducted by the University of Salento, led by Professor Franco Fanizzi, have detected a significant increase in the polyphenols in the oil produced by these “reborn” olive trees. This gives a more decisive taste and a higher quality than the traditional oil of Salento.
This case of “spontaneous healing” represents an important turning point. As Michele Lastilla, director of the Coastal Dune Park points out, It is now fundamental to “get out of the logic of the emergency” and focus on coexistence strategies with the bacterium, using sustainable practices and innovative methods.
A virtuous example is the Curtimaggi farm from Grottaglie, where care are already in place that have shown to reduce the effects of the bacterium and allow plants to survive and produce. Similar experiences are also developing at the Pantanelli Agricultural Institute of Ostuni, which manages 400 monumental olive trees and promotes the formation of young farmers to face climatic and health challenges.
The discovery of the spontaneous recovery of hundreds of olive trees in Salento represents an excellent sign of hope for a territory severely hit by the Xylella. Thanks to the cooperation between institutions, universities and farmers, new perspectives are opened for the enhancement and safeguarding of one of the most precious resources in Southern Italy: the olive tree and its precious fruits.
