Grape Vine Fungal Trunk Diseases University Of Nebraska

Grape Vine Fungal Trunk Diseases University Of Nebraska Viticulture Program viticulture. unl. edu

Meet “Botryosphaeria” • • A fungus living in your vines Causes spur, cordon and vine death Was previously unknown here (? ) Is spreading world-wide University Of Nebraska Viticulture Program viticulture. unl. edu

Botryosphaeria • Can be confused with virus, or nutritional deficiencies. • Vascular discoloration is typical, including brown/black streaks (necrosis in the xylem tissue) University Of Nebraska Viticulture Program viticulture. unl. edu

About Botryosphaeria • One of several fungi causing trunk disease • Spreads by infection of pruning and other wounds via air-borne spores • Spores are produced in wet weather, maybe high humidity • Can quickly make vineyards uneconomical because of loss of bud break, and vine deaths • May be a cause of low yields in Midwest University Of Nebraska Viticulture Program viticulture. unl. edu

Symptoms caused by Trunk Disease Fungi • Trunk and cordon – Wedge-shape lesions when cut in cross-section (Eutypa) – Dieback described as ‘dead arm’ and loss of spur positions • Shoots – Stunted appearance during the spring • Bud burst – Delayed or lack of growth in one or more spur positions • Canes – Bleached • Buds – Necrotic University Of Nebraska Viticulture Program viticulture. unl. edu

Fungal Disease Management • Late pruning Prune as late as possible before bud break • Double pruning First pass is done in the winter Prune to two buds in early spring before bud break • Fungicide treatments and wound protection (Viti. Seal, B-Lock, Topsin M, etc. ) University Of Nebraska Viticulture Program viticulture. unl. edu

Fungal Disease Management • Remedial surgery and sucker training • Vine training Cane pruning Reduces disease severity • Spur/cordon pruned Disease levels may increase • Avoid large cuts during pruning • Vine debris MUST be removed from site University Of Nebraska Viticulture Program viticulture. unl. edu

But it can be controlled • Protect all pruning wounds by painting/spraying fungicides/paint mixtures as are used in CA • At first symptoms in vineyard, begin saving trunk shoots, as low as possible • Train up 1 -2 new trunks, remove old cordons and trunks • Remove pruning debris (a good practice for many problems, e. g. grape cane borer, other pests, disease inocula) University Of Nebraska Viticulture Program viticulture. unl. edu

Avoid stress that can weaken vines • Correct planting, irrigation, fertilization • Avoid early fruit production/harvest • Avoid stress that can weaken vines University Of Nebraska Viticulture Program viticulture. unl. edu

Life Cycle of Botryosphaeria pycnidia conidia over winters on diseased wood n pseudothecia ascospores on cankers t en v re n ew tio c e nf i p rce ou ms e ov rem ulu c o n i Break Disease Cycle canker fresh wound around initial infection point wood necrosis dead arm, vine death vascular system damaged by fungal growth Life cycle of botryosphaeria dieback in grapevines showing the key points for management options to break the disease cycle. University Of Nebraska Viticulture Program viticulture. unl. edu rain splash and wind spread conidia and ascospores conidia germinate and invade woody tissue via xylem

Cultivar Petite Pearl Sabrevois Brianna Frontenac Blanc Frontenac Gris Lemberger Norton La Crescent Aromella Chambourcin Cayuga White Noiret St Croix Chardonel Vidal Blanc Lacrosse Bianca Grafted Chambourcin Frontenac Edelweiss Niagara De. Chaunac Leon Millot Vignoles Corot Noir Traminette Avg. Disease Intensity 2. 75 3. 10 3. 30 3. 45 3. 50 3. 62 4. 00 4. 10 4. 88 4. 96 5. 60 5. 62 5. 73 5. 75 5. 76 6. 00 6. 20 6. 33 6. 40 * 6. 66 6. 80 7. 60 8. 10 * Known that it is very susceptible but was not in our evaluation University Of Nebraska Viticulture Program viticulture. unl. edu

Don’t ignore Trunk Diseases DO NOT PANIC!!!! Learn to recognize symptoms TREAT EARLY You will be rewarded with old, healthy vineyards • Read “Don’t let trunk diseases ruin your day, and your vineyard” The Grapevine, May June 2018 • • University Of Nebraska Viticulture Program viticulture. unl. edu