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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Parlier, California » San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center » Crop Diseases, Pests and Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #384100
Research Project: Breeding Prunus and Vitis Scions for Improved Fruit Quality and Durable Pest Resistance

Location: Crop Diseases, Pests and Genetics Research

Title: Rotting grapes don't improve with age: cluster rot disease complexes, management, and future prospects

Author
item CRANDALL, SHARIFA - Pennsylvania State University
item SPYCHALLA, JAMIE - Pennsylvania State University
item CROUCH, UMA - Pennsylvania State University
item ACEVEDO, FLOR - Pennsylvania State University
item Naegele, Rachel
item MILES, TIM - Michigan State University

Submitted to: Plant Disease
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/29/2022
Publication Date: 7/14/2022
Citation: Crandall, S., Spychalla, J., Crouch, U., Acevedo, F., Naegele, R.P., Miles, T. 2022. Rotting grapes don't improve with age: cluster rot disease complexes, management, and future prospects. Plant Disease. 106(8):2013-2025. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-04-21-0695-FE.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-04-21-0695-FE

Interpretive Summary: There are many different fungal rots that can impact grapevine production. Symptoms for these different diseases can be similar making it difficult to distinguish them. This article outlines some of the common grape cluster rots that can be found across the U.S. and provides practical information about their management, in addition to current research resources and history of the disease.

Technical Abstract: Cluster rots can be devastating to grape production around the world. There are several late-season bunch rots that can affect grapes including Botrytis bunch rot, sour rot, black rot, Phomopsis, bitter rot and ripe rot. Tight-clustered varieties such as ‘Pinot gris’, ‘Pinot noir’, and ‘Vignoles’ are particularly susceptible to these cluster rots. Symptoms or signs for these rots range from discolored berries or gray-brown sporulation in Botrytis bunch rot to sour rot, which smells distinctly of vinegar due to the presence of acetic acid bacteria. This review discusses the common symptoms and disease cycles of these different cluster rots. It also includes useful updates on disease diagnostics and management practices including practical aspects of cultural practices and host resistance in commercial vineyards. By understanding what drives the development of different cluster rots researchers will be able to identify new avenues for research to control these critical pathogens.