Studies on grapevine yellows in Israel and Greece
Studies were carried out on grapevine yellows in Israel and Greece to identify the phytoplasmas associated with these diseases. Diseased grapevine plants sampled in Israel and Greece showed symptoms similar to those previously described in France, Italy and North America. Symptoms included veinal yellowing, veinal necrosis, dried flower clusters and reduced lignification of canes. Samples of naturally diseased grapevines were collected in the field and were studied by using nested-PCR and RFLP analysis of amplified 16S rDNA. 10 plants (cv. Chardonnay) from Israel and 6 plants (cvs. Italia, Muscat of Hambourg and cv. Roditis) from Greece were examined. Results showed that the phytoplasmas associated with grapevine yellows in Israel and Greece belong to the stolbur phytoplasma subgroup (e.g. like bois noir). The stolbur phytoplasma subgroup does not include grapevine flavescence dorée phytoplasma (EPPO A2 quarantine pest). The authors also noted that the grapevine yellows phytoplasmas found in North America do not belong to the stolbur phytoplasma subgroup and that the Australian grapevine yellows constitute a new phylogenetic lineage (see EPPO RS 98/039).
Sources
Davis, R.E.; Dally, E.L.; Tanne, E.; Rumbos, I.C. (1997) Phytoplasmas associated with grapevine yellows in Israel and Greece belong to the stolbur phytoplasma subgroup, 16SrXII-A.
Journal of Plant Pathology, 79(3), 181-187.