Update of the Xylella spp. host plant database – systematic literature search up to 30 June 2019

Abstract Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to create and regularly update a database of host plant species of Xylella spp. In 2018, EFSA released a new Xylella spp. host plant database that was now updated with informative data extracted from 76 recent publications retrieved through an extensive literature search. This report is related to the third version of the database published in Zenodo in the EFSA Knowledge Junction community, covering articles selected from: a systematic literature review conducted up of 30 June 2019; Europhyt database up to 15 October 2019; and relevant articles identified by EFSA Horizon scanning and personal communications from experts. Some data on Xylella fastidiosa strains and geographical coordinates included in the already published database were updated or modified with the purpose of increasing the accuracy and consistency of the database itself. Thirty‐seven new host plant species of X. fastidiosa, identified through the data extracted from the selected publications, have been added to the database. Those plant species were reported as naturally infected, artificially infected or infected under unspecified conditions by subsp. multiplex, pauca or unknown (i.e. not reported in the publication) subspecies of X. fastidiosa. No additional data were retrieved for Xylella taiwanensis. Six new Sequence Types (STs) have been identified in Brazil, Italy and the USA. Information on the tolerant/resistant response of plant species or varieties to X. fastidiosa infection are also reported in the database. The overall number of Xylella spp. host plants reaches now 343 plant species, 163 genera and 64 families determined with two different detection methods, till 595 plant species, 275 genera and 85 families regardless the detection method applied. The EFSA database on Xylella spp. host plants is updated regularly with the aim to provide information and scientific support to risk assessors, risk managers and researchers dealing with Xylella spp.