Community Analysis of Culturable Sapwood Endophytes from Apulian Olive Varieties with Different Susceptibility to Xylella fastidiosa

Endophytes are symptomless fungal and/or bacterial microorganisms found in almost all living plant species. The symbiotic association with their host plants by colonizing the internal tissues has endowed them as a valuable tool to suppress diseases, stimulate growth, and promote stress resistance. In this context, study of culturable endophytes residing sapwood Apulian olives might be promising control strategy for xylem pathogens Xylella fastidiosa. To date, olive cultivable still under exploration; therefore, work pursues occurrence variation different varieties effect seasonality, geographical coordinates, X. fastidiosa infection status. Our confirms stability endophytic communities resistant variety presents seasonal fluctuation trees’ endophytes. It also describes diversity frequency genera, finally retrieves some sapwood-inhabiting isolates, known biocontrol agents pathogens. Thus, potential role these isolates conferring tree protection against should further investigated.