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Submitted to: CDFA Pierce's Disease Control Program Research Symposium
Publication Type: Proceedings Publication Acceptance Date: 11/1/2006 Publication Date: 12/5/2006 Citation: Baumgartner, K. 2006. Significance of riparian plants in the epidemiology of pierce's disease. CDFA Pierce's Disease Control Program Research Symposium. Interpretive Summary: We examined the relationship between Pierce’s disease (PD) in Napa Valley vineyards and both adjacent and distant vegetation types. Because the vector, Graphocephala atropunctata (blue-green sharpshooter, BGSS), is mobile and has a broad host range, disease risk is influenced by vector migration among vegetation types. Therefore, certain combinations of vegetation types surrounding vineyards are more likely to be associated with PD. To test this hypothesis, we surveyed 41 vineyards located adjacent to riparian woodland (vector habitat), urban land (vector habitat), other vineyards (vector habitat), or oak woodland (habitat status unknown). The proportions of the four vegetation types distant from the sites (within 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 km) were quantified with a GIS. PD presence was confirmed by ELISA. Multiple binary logistic regression showed that both adjacent and distant vegetation type significantly predicted PD. Vineyards were more likely to have PD if they were adjacent to riparian woodland and surrounded by more vineyards or urban land. These results suggest that vineyards and urban lands may be important in PD epidemiology. Given that uninfected vineyards adjacent to riparian woodland were also surrounded by large amounts of riparian and upland woodland, it is also possible that riparian woodland in more forested landscapes hosts lower vector densities or a lower proportion of infective vectors. Alternatively, more expansive woodland may be associated with lower PD risk because it decreases the spread of infective BGSSs. Technical Abstract: We examined the relationship between Pierce’s disease (PD) in Napa Valley vineyards and the surrounding vegetation types. Because the vector, the blue-green sharpshooter, is mobile and has a broad host range, disease risk is influenced by vector movement in surrounding habitats. Therefore, certain combinations of habitats surrounding vineyards are more likely to be associated with PD. To test this hypothesis, we surveyed 41 vineyards located adjacent to riparian woodland (vector habitat), urban land (vector habitat), other vineyards (vector habitat), or oak woodland (habitat status unknown). The proportions of the four habitats distant from the sites (within 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 km) were quantified. PD presence was confirmed by ELISA. Statistical analyses showed that both adjacent and distant habitat type significantly predicted PD. Vineyards were more likely to have PD if they were adjacent to riparian woodland and surrounded by more vineyards or urban land. These results suggest that vineyards and urban lands may be important in the spread of PD. Given that uninfected vineyards adjacent to riparian woodland were also surrounded by large amounts of riparian and upland woodland, it is also possible that riparian woodland in more forested landscapes hosts fewer vectors or a lower proportion of infective vectors. Alternatively, more expansive woodland may be associated with lower PD risk because it decreases the spread of infective vectors. |
