Regional Institute of Wine and Oil

Health control of grapevine viruses and phytoplasmas

In 2012, the Regional Institute of Vine and Wine planned to activate a service aimed at controlling the health quality of viticultural propagation material. The activity is aimed at winemakers and nurserymen who wish to carry out checks on viruses and phytoplasmas. Using infected plant material can mean burning thousands of euros in out-of-pocket expenses for each hectare, not achieving the quality oenological objectives set and, moreover, introducing difficult-to-solve health problems into the soil.

 The viruses that can be investigated are: GFLV; ArMV; GLRaV-1; GLRaV-2; GLRaV-3; GVA; GVB; GFkV while the phytoplasmas are Flavescence dorée and Legno nero. A contribution to the costs for the service offered is expected, with reference to the different methods of collecting and providing samples, the number of viruses and/or phytoplasmas to look for. The primary objective therefore is to reduce the circulation of infected material. The vine health quality control service will be started at the Institute's Palermo headquarters and at this one the peripheral offices will refer, liaising for the best organization and synergy with the Technical-Scientific Area through the Innovation Transfer (Dr. F. Capraro) and Laboratory Coordination (Dr.G. Russo) units.