[SCAN] The challenge of plant wood diseases. The esca complex of grapevine

Scan Seminar

Title: The challenge of plant wood diseases. The esca complex of grapevine

Speaker: Ricardo Boavida Ferreira

From: Disease and Stress Biology Laboratory, ITQB

Abstract:

Plant wood diseases are assuming an alarming importance due to a total absence of control measures. Among them, the grapevine esca complex of diseases is caused by a group of fungi which act alone, in combination or in succession. They grow in the inner tissues of wooden stems and trunks, away from the reach of systemic fungicides. The initial stages of the disease are externally asymptomatic, but the fungal spores and/or mycelia may be disseminated from apparently healthy plants by air, rain and viticultural practices. The disease is heavily affecting all major viticultural areas of the globe in a way which suggests it may have far worst consequences than did Phylloxera in XIX century European vineyards. X-ray-based computerized tomography may provide the basis for controlling this important grapevine wood disease.