Incidence and severity of Eutypa dieback in grapevines are related to total surface area of pruning wounds. (4th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Henderson, B.; Sosnowski, M.R.; McCarthy, M.G.; Scott, E.S.
• Is Part Of: Australian journal of grape and wine research. Volume 27:Number 1(2021)
• Page Start: 87
• Page End: 93
• Publication Date: 2020-11-04
• Subjects: cane pruning -- Eutypa lata -- grapevine trunk disease -- spur pruning; Viticulture -- Australia -- Periodicals; Wine and wine making -- Australia -- Periodicals; Viticulture -- Periodicals; Wine and wine making -- Periodicals; 634.80994
• DOI: 10.1111/ajgw.12465
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1322-7130

Abstract

Abstract: Background and Aims: The trunk disease Eutypa dieback causes financial losses in grapegrowing. The influence of two pruning methods, namely cane and spur pruning, on the incidence and severity of Eutypa dieback in Shiraz grapevines was investigated as pruning wounds are a major point of entry for the causal agent Eutypa lata . Methods and Results: The surface area of pruning wounds in 11 Shiraz vineyards in the Barossa Valley was measured. The incidence of Eutypa dieback in all of those vineyards and disease severity in two vineyards were determined. The surface area of wounds exposed by cane pruning was 21–33% smaller than for spur pruning. The incidence of foliar symptoms and the severity of disease were 50 and 38% lower, respectively, in cane‐pruned than in spur‐pruned vines. For cane‐pruned vines, an increase in bud number retained was associated with a smaller increase in wound surface area than for spur‐pruned vines. Conclusions: The incidence and severity of Eutypa dieback were greatest where the total surface area was largest rather than the size of individual cuts exposed by pruning. Significance of the Study: Limiting the total surface area exposed by pruning in plantings of Shiraz vines is likely to reduce the incidence and severity of Eutypa dieback.