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The long‐term effect of S tolbur phytoplasma on grapevines in the G olan H eights
Author(s) -
Zahavi T.,
Sharon R.,
Sapir G.,
Mawassi M.,
DafnyYelin M.,
Naor V.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
australian journal of grape and wine research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.65
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1755-0238
pISSN - 1322-7130
DOI - 10.1111/ajgw.12012
Subject(s) - term (time) , biology , physics , astronomy
Background and Aims Grapevine yellows caused by different phytoplasma strains share common epidemiological and horticultural characteristics. The aim of this study was to determine the implications of the disease epidemiology for growers. Methods and Results C abernet S auvignon and C hardonnay blocks were mapped annually for disease symptoms, and new infections and vine recovery were assessed. We measured yield and pruning weight of healthy, symptomatic and recovered vines, as well as the presence of phytoplasma particles in leaves, shoots and roots. We show a high remission rate in C abernet S auvignon vines infected with S tolbur phytoplasma and a low rate in C hardonnay. One year after symptom remission, vines of both cultivars had yields significantly higher than that of symptomatic ones, and after two years the yield of C abernet S auvignon vines did not differ from that of healthy vines. Vine vigour remained low for at least two years. Phytoplasma particles were found in all the symptomatic vines, in only one of 12 recovered vines, and were absent in healthy vines. Conclusions A high rate of recovery from phytoplasma was recorded in C abernet S auvignon and a lower rate in C hardonnay, coupled with good yield performance in recovered vines. Significance of the Study We do not recommend uprooting diseased vines as most vines recover from the disease and return to normal production.