Olive knot disease (olive tuberculosis): symptoms, causes, control

Olive knot disease - the world of plants

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Olive knot disease is a bacterial disease that affects olive branches, causing swellings that distort growth. This article from the “WORLD OF PLANTS” website provides an explanation of the symptoms of the disease and methods of prevention.

Symptoms of olive knot disease (olive tuberculosis)   

  • Scientific name : oliva knot disease
  • Causative factor:  Pseudomonas savastanoi.
  • The characteristic symptom of infection is the appearance of balls or “knots” at infection sites. Balls are most commonly formed at leaf nodes (sites of bud development), due to infection of leaf scars with bacteria; However, they can also form at other points of entry for pathogens, such as pruning wounds or wounds caused by frost or hail damage. 
  • Although galls usually form on stems and branches, galls have also been observed on leaves and fruit

Olive knot disease - the world of plants
Olive knot disease - the world of plants

Olive knot disease - the world of plants

Olive knot disease - the world of plants

Causes of olive knot disease

The disease is caused by Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. Savastanoi (Psv), a bacterial pathogen that spreads short distances during winter and spring rain events.

Suitable conditions for the spread of olive knot disease

  • The disease has become more common and serious over the past decade, partly due to increased cultivation of Manzanillo olives, a highly susceptible variety, and the introduction of high-density olive plantations for oil production, a system where mechanized cultural practices can promote disease development. 
  • The occurrence of olive knot disease is generally associated with rainfall and is more severe in areas with high rainfall or during years of heavy rainfall. It is easily spread by water at all times of the year.

Development cycle of olive knot disease

Bacteria enter through wounds and scars on leaves or flowers after they fall, and are transmitted from infected trees to healthy trees by the olive fruit fly. The pathogen can be transmitted in rain carried by the wind or over greater distances using contaminated pruning tools or infected nursery stock.

  •  Because galls only form as the tree grows, infections that begin during the winter will not show symptoms until spring

Losses of the spread of olive knot disease 

  • Death of infected branches.
  •  The death of infected shoots directly reduces yield
  •  The disease also affects fruit size and quality. 
  • Sensory tests of flavor have proven that even trees with only a few galls can produce off-flavored fruit. 
  •  Additionally, the severe symptoms of olive knot detract from the aesthetics of olive trees used in commercial and private landscapes
  • Olive knot can girdle trees and kill them if infestations occur on young tree trunks

Olive knot disease - the world of plants

Strategy to combat olive knot disease (olive tuberculosis)

Preventive measures to prevent the occurrence of the disease

  • Prune carefully during the dry season (July to August) to remove galls on twigs and branches. Since bacteria may be carried on the pruning shears, be sure to sterilize them frequently if you prune at other times during the year.
  •  Mechanically harvested olive oil should be processed immediately after harvesting because harvesting can damage trees and open openings for bacteria. Harvesting is also done in the fall or winter when rain is likely. If possible, avoid harvesting when rain is expected

Chemical and organic control recommendations 

  • One way to treat olive knot is to apply copper-containing pesticides to the affected part(s). Do this before rain or a scheduled event. 
  • Phenolic compounds extracted from wastewater and rich in hydroxytyrosol can be excellent alternatives to copper compounds in controlling olive knot disease.
  • Branch studies in which leaves were removed from attached branches, treatments applied and then inoculated with Pseudomonas savastanoi showed a reduction in disease. 
  • In experiments against Pseudomonas savastanoi, streptomycin sulfate, a mixture of streptocycline and sodium arsenite, or bactcin (an emulsion containing 2,4-xylenol and m-cresol) were applied to the nodules and their sites after their removal. Best results were obtained with undiluted bacicin, and no bacterial colonies were found after 8 months.

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References 

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