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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Davis, California » Crops Pathology and Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #208709
Title: LABORATORY TESTING FOR GRAPEVINE DISEASES

Author
item GOLINO, DEBORAH - PLANT PATH, UC DAVIS
item VASQUEZ, STEPHEN - UCCE, FRESNO COUNTY
item LEAVITT, GEORGE - UCCE, MADERA COUNTY
item Baumgartner, Kendra

Submitted to: Grape Pest Management
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/14/2006
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Some grapevine diseases can be identified easily in the field by signs of the pathogen, which include microscopic and macroscopic microbial cells, tissues, and structures. Some diseases are characterized by their symptoms, which are defined as abnormal plant growth caused by damage from the pathogen. In contrast, the stunted shoots, scorched leaves, or other non-descript symptoms associated with other diseases make it difficult to narrow the list of possible causes. In addition, a few diseases are identifiable only through controlled inoculations of healthy plants. To address the fact that many grapevine diseases are difficult to diagnose simply by observation of symptoms, it may be necessary under some cases to submit samples to a diagnostic laboratory for identification of the disease agent. Laboratory technology for the detection of grapevine pathogens has undergone rapid development in the last decade. Reliable tests for numerous fungi, bacteria, and viruses have been developed in research labs. Many of these tests are currently offered by commercial and public laboratories, providing growers with the opportunity to submit samples from their vineyards for identification of grapevine diseases. This chapter describes the tests and how growers can optimally collect samples for diagnoses.

Technical Abstract: Some grapevine diseases can be identified easily in the field by signs of the pathogen, which include microscopic and macroscopic microbial cells, tissues, and structures. Some diseases are characterized by their symptoms, which are defined as abnormal plant growth caused by damage from the pathogen. In contrast, the stunted shoots, scorched leaves, or other non-descript symptoms associated with other diseases make it difficult to narrow the list of possible causes. In addition, a few diseases are identifiable only through controlled inoculations of healthy plants. To address the fact that many grapevine diseases are difficult to diagnose simply by observation of symptoms, it may be necessary under some cases to submit samples to a diagnostic laboratory for identification of the disease agent. Laboratory technology for the detection of grapevine pathogens has undergone rapid development in the last decade. Reliable tests for numerous fungi, bacteria, and viruses have been developed in research labs. Many of these tests are currently offered by commercial and public laboratories, providing growers with the opportunity to submit samples from their vineyards for identification of grapevine diseases. This chapter describes the tests and how growers can optimally collect samples for diagnoses.