ARS | Publication request: Root Disease of Grapevines in California and Their Control

Submitted to: Proceedings Of The Australian Society Of Soil Science Conference
Publication Acceptance Date: February 28, 2004
Publication Date: July 30, 2004
Citation: Gubler, W., Baumgartner, K., Browne, G.T., Eskalen, A., Latham, S., Petit, E., Bayramian, L. 2004. Root Disease Of Grapevines In California And Their Control. Proceedings Of The Australian Society Of Soil Science Conference.

Interpretive Summary: Root rots of grapevine in California are caused by several soilborne pathogens, such as Phytophthora spp., Armillaria mellea, and Cylindrocarpon destructans. While Phytophthora spp. and A. mellea have been known to occur for many years, some root pathogens, namely Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, have increased in incidence and severity since the introduction of rootstocks resistant to Phylloxera. New diseases such as Petri disease caused by Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, vine decline caused by Phaeoacremonium spp, and Black foot caused by Cylindrocarpon destructans have only recently been shown to occur in California. Wilt caused by Verticillium dahliae has become more prevalent in nearly all grape growing regions in California. Though losses due to actual root disease have been minor over the past 10 years, they are becoming more common in replanted vineyards.

Technical Abstract: Root rots of grapevine in California are caused by several soilborne pathogens. While root rot in vineyards in general has been considered to be a relative minor problem, nearly all root diseases have increased in incidence and severity since the introduction of rootstocks resistant to Phylloxera. Pathogens such as Phytophthora spp. and Armellaria mellea have been known to occur for many years. However, seldom did a root rot become a serious problem in vineyards. New diseases such as Petri disease caused by Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, vine decline caused by Phaeoacremonium spp, and Black foot caused by Cylindrocarpon destructans have only recently been shown to occur in California. Wilt caused by Verticillium dahliae has become more prevalent in nearly all grape growing regions in California. Though losses due to actual root disease have been minor over the past 10 years, losses due to vineyard reestablishment have been large.