Abstract
Grapevines sampled in the Comunidad Valenciana in Spain were examined for esca symptoms, and the different vine parts (trunk, cane and young vine) were surveyed for the presence of esca-related fungi. The fungal species most frequently identified were the mitosporic fungi Diplodia mutila (Dmu), Phaeoacremonium aleophilum (Pal), Phaeomoniella chlamydospora (Pch) and Phomopsis viticola (Pvi) and the basidiomycetes Fomitiporia mediterranea (Fm) and Stereum hirsutum (Shi). PCR and sequencing using the universal pair primers ITS1-ITS4 confirmed the identification, these techniques proved very useful, particularly in cases where fruiting was not evident and/or pure cultures did not display enough diagnostic traits. Dmu and both basidiomycetes were the most frequent fungi associated with esca in this region. Dmu was the only fungal species found in all vine parts studied, being significantly more present in canes (82%) than in trunks (58%) or shoots (28%). Moreover, both basidiomycetes (50% Fm and 56% Shi) and Pch (32%) were most frequently found in trunks.
Highlights
Esca syndrome and other trunk diseases of fungal origin have become a growing threat to grapevines throughout the world (Dubos and Larignon, 1988) hampering the economic viability of vineyards everywhere (Morton, 2000)
Isolates were characterized according to different aspects, such as conidiophoros, pycnida, size or shape of spores (Table 2) and the following fungi were identified: Diplodia mutila Shoemaker (Dmu), Phaeoacremonium aleophilum W
Previous reports have pointed out the existence of two main groups of fungi involved in esca symptoms and probably acting in ecological succession (Graniti et al, 2000)
Summary
Esca syndrome and other trunk diseases of fungal origin have become a growing threat to grapevines throughout the world (Dubos and Larignon, 1988) hampering the economic viability of vineyards everywhere (Morton, 2000). Grapevine decline symptoms in grapegrowing regions of Spain have been reported in several surveys carried out in Spanish vineyards in the last few years (Armengol et al, 2001). Esca is a disease complex displaying highly variable symptoms that can appear in severe ( called apoplexy) or mild form (Dubos and Larignon, 1988). Mild symptoms are present inside the trunk and arms, on canes and vine shoots, leaves and berries. In affected trunks and arms, cross sections show a central necrotic and decayed area, in which sound wood gradually becomes spongy and soft, surrounded by a black line (Chiarappa, 1959)
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