What disease does Xylella fastidiosa cause in crops?

Xylella fastidiosa is a bacterial pathogen known to cause several significant diseases in plants, particularly in crops. One of the primary diseases associated with this bacterium is Pierce's disease, which primarily affects grapevines. This disease is transmitted by certain species of sharpshooters, which are insects that feed on the xylem of the plants. Eventually, the infection leads to severe water stress and characteristic symptoms such as leaf scorch, reduced vigor, and ultimately, plant decline or death.

While Xylella fastidiosa can also be linked to other crop diseases such as grapevine decline, the term "Pierce's disease" specifically denotes the pathological effects seen in grapevines due to this pathogen. Hence, identifying Pierce's disease as the correct response encapsulates the core impact of Xylella fastidiosa on plants, especially in the context of viticulture.