MUSCADINE VINE DIEBACK: EMERGING PROBLEM AND POSSIBLE CONTROL MEASURES

摘要

Increasing numbers of muscadine dieback incidents have been found in north Florida and south Georgia vineyards in recent years. Symptoms such as dying of new shoots (one or both arms), or entire vines were observed. A case survey in a north Florida commercial vineyard with five cultivars indicated that the disease is a new threat to muscadine grapes {Vitis routondifolia Michx or Vitis routondifolia Small). Up to 100% of vine infection that resulted in 17% mortality, was observed in some important cultivars. The possible treatments for preventing this disease are discussed. Muscadine grapes (Vitis routondifolia Michx or Vitis routondifolia Small) are generally known to have a high degree of resistance or tolerance to pests and diseases commonly foundin bunch grapes (Olien, 1990). However, studies have indicated that several diseases exist on muscadine grapes, such as Pierce's Disease (PD), black rot, angular leaf spot, ripe rot, bitter rot, and macrophoma (Chen et al, 2000). Among them, dieback ordead arm has been found in increasing numbers of muscadine vineyards in the north Florida and south Georgia area.