Occurrence and distribution of Grapevine pinot gris virus and other grapevine viruses in German viticultural regions

Abstract

To determine the occurrence and distribution of prevalent viruses in commercially important vineyards, a survey was carried out in all thirteen wine-growing regions in Germany. Results reveal that the recently emerged Grapevine pinot gris virus (GPGV) was the most abundant virus with a percentage of 18% prevalence, followed by 13% Grapevine fleck virus (GFkV), 9% Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 1 (GLRaV-1), 4% Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV), 2% Raspberry ringspot virus (RpRSV), 2% Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV) and 2% Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3). Distribution of some viruses varies greatly between individual regions, thus regional hotspots or gradients were detected. GPGV for example is mostly found in southeastern Germany, while its incidence decreases to the north along the river Rhine. The findings of this survey provide an overview of the allocation of the most prevalent grapevine viruses in Germany and can support regional virus management and national risk assessment especially GPGV.