The Horizon EU project NextGenBioPest is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with BIOVEXO, an innovative Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI-JU) project, focused on developing biopesticides to combat the devastating effects of Xylella fastidiosa. This bacterial pathogen, spread by xylem fluid-feeding insects such as the spittlebug, has led to widespread damage to olive and almond orchards across Southern Europe, threatening entire agricultural regions, local economies, and cultural heritage. The partnership brings together NextGenBioPest’s expertise in novel biopesticides and integrated pest management (IPM) solutions with BIOVEXO’s targeted approach against Xylella fastidiosa and its vectors.
Xylella fastidiosa has been responsible for a 65%-80% decline in olive production in Italy’s Apulia region, with similarly severe outbreaks in Spain, Portugal, and France. The disease blocks plants’ ability to absorb water and nutrients, often leading to plant death and putting over 100,000 jobs at risk. Despite the severity of its impact, no effective organic solution currently exists to counter Xylella, creating an urgent need for safe, effective, and scalable alternatives.
A Unified Approach to Saving Europe’s Orchards
The NextGenBioPest-BIOVEXO collaboration represents a powerful alliance in the battle against Xylella, blending BIOVEXO’s promising biocontrol agents with NextGenBioPest’s innovations in pest control. The joint initiative aims to safeguard agricultural sustainability, protect biodiversity, and restore economic stability to some of Europe’s most iconic agricultural landscapes.
The partnership’s main objectives include:
Developing and Testing Biocontrol Solutions: BIOVEXO is pioneering six biocontrol candidates, including two bacterial strains, a microbial metabolite, two plant extracts, and an entomopathogenic fungus. These solutions are designed to target Xylella fastidiosa directly or its insect vector, and will be tested on a range of traditional and newly planted olive orchards as well as almond trees. NextGenBioPest will support these trials, drawing on its extensive research and experience in biological control methods to help BIOVEXO refine and enhance these treatments for real-world application.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Strategies: Both projects are committed to promoting sustainable IPM strategies. BIOVEXO’s biopesticides will be integrated with NextGenBioPest’s cutting-edge toolkit, which includes RNA-based pesticides, biological control agents, and innovative diagnostics for pest identification and management. This comprehensive IPM approach will be deployed in the regions most impacted by Xylella, ensuring a robust, multi-faceted response to the pathogen.
On-Field Validation and Scale-Up: Following small-scale field trials and formulation enhancements, BIOVEXO’s biopesticides will undergo large-scale pilot testing in Apulia (Italy) and Mallorca (Spain), two major Xylella outbreak zones. NextGenBioPest will contribute to these on-field validations, helping to assess the effectiveness of biocontrol solutions in diverse, real-life agricultural settings. This phase is critical for preparing BIOVEXO’s biopesticides for market entry and ensuring a smooth, environmentally sustainable transition.
Economic and Environmental Sustainability: Both projects share a commitment to minimizing the impact of pest management on the environment and local communities. Through rigorous analysis, the partnership will evaluate the long-term economic viability and ecological footprint of these biopesticides. This dual approach will support the development of scalable solutions that not only address the current Xylella threat but are also viable for sustainable, long-term use across Europe.
Protecting Heritage and the Future of Agriculture
The NextGenBioPest-BIOVEXO partnership represents a significant leap forward in the fight to protect European agriculture from one of its most devastating pathogens. By combining cutting-edge biocontrol solutions with innovative IPM practices, the collaboration aims to safeguard vulnerable orchards, restore affected regions, and ensure the sustainable production of olive and almond crops for generations to come.