DISTRIBUTION OF XYLELLA-FASTIDIOSA IN OAKS IN FLORIDA AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH GROWTH DECLINE IN QUERCUS-LAEVIS

A survey of more than 200 trees has documented the widespread occurren ce of Xy[ella fastidiosa in Florida oak populations. The pathogen was detected readily via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in oaks exhibit ing decline or leaf scorch symptoms and was infrequently detected in a symptomatic trees. It was also associated with reduced growth in Querc us laevis as measured by current-year shoot length. The occurrence of X. fastidiosa in Q. laevis and the evidence for its occurrence in Q. i ncana represent first reports for these oak hosts. The role of X. fast idiosa in oak decline scenarios deserves further attention.