Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Botryosphaeria dieback caused by several Botryosphaeriaceae species is one of the most important grapevine trunk diseases affecting vineyards worldwide. These fungi cause wedge-shaped perennial cankers and black streaking of the wood and have also been associated with intervein leaf chlorosis, dried or mummified berries, and eventually, the death of the plant.
Early season symptoms may sometimes be disregarded by growers, being mistaken with symptoms from other diseases such as downy mildew or botrytis rot.
Currently, few studies are available to determine what species may be causing these early season symptoms in grapevines.
During the season, during the flowering period, grapevine samples showing necrosis on green shoots, dried inflorescences, and flowers, were collected in vineyards throughout the central regions of Portugal. Isolations were performed from symptomatic organs, and twenty-three isolates of Botryosphaeriaceae were selected. In pathogenicity tests conducted on 1-year-old plants grown under controlled conditions in a greenhouse and on field-grown clusters, symptoms were reproduced, confirming the pathogenic behavior of the selection of isolates.
Keywords: grapevine, Diplodia seriata , Neofusicoccum parvum , pathogenicity, diagnostic. Grapevine trunk diseases GTDs are one of the most critical problems affecting viticulture worldwide, causing yield reduction and increased production costs adding to the existing cost of the annual vineyard operations.
