A bacteria, Xylella, is killing olive trees in Puglia, southern Italy. Olive oil producers from Switzerland are looking for solutions to combat the disease, although no cure has yet been discovered.
Only 100 of the 300 centuries-old olive trees purchased by Hans Peter Imhof in 2018 remain, eaten away by the Xylella bacteria. The harvest will once again be modest, although “better” than last year, the retiree testified on Saturday in the 7:30 p.m. broadcast of RTS.
The Vaudois, however, transformed this tragedy into an opportunity. In place of the dead olive trees, he planted pomegranates and vines, but also 200 young olive trees resistant to the bacteria.
A thriving ecosystem requires biodiversity, insists Hans Peter Imhof, “something that is not yet widespread in Puglia”. Olive grower Filiberto Erario adds to the RTS microphone: “Here, industrial agriculture has completely ruined the ecosystem.”
Use of electroculture
Musician in Geneva and oil producer in Ostuni, Andreas Fulgosi hopes to produce more than 500 liters of organic olive oil this year, despite the Xylella. He has owned 180 olive trees for 19 years, and some are affected by disease.
To try to treat his trees, he tried electroculture by surrounding them with copper wire to create a magnetic field. “It’s a bit miraculous. For the moment, it’s the solution,” explains the enthusiast.
Despite all these experiences, the bacteria continues to progress in Puglia. In the south of the region, olive oil production has decreased by more than 80%.
TV report: Valérie Dupont
Adaptation web: mera
Swiss
