Grapevine flavescence dorée is suspected in Serbia (YU)
During a survey done in 2002 in Serbia, samples were collected from grapevines showing typical symptoms of a phytoplasma disease: leaf rolling, red discoloration, vein chlorosis and necrosis, and absence of lignification. Plant material was collected in one grapevine-growing region (Zupa Aleksandrovac) where the disease has been observed since 2000 with an increasing incidence from year to year. Molecular studies revealed the presence of phytoplasmas belonging to the Elm yellows subgroup 16SrV-C, therefore suggesting the presence of Grapevine flavescence dorée phytoplasma (EPPO A2 quarantine pest). Further studies are being carried out to verify the presence of the insect vector, Scaphoideus titanus, and confirm that this grapevine yellows is associated with Grapevine flavescence dorée phytoplasma.
Sources
Duduk, B.; Ivanovic, M.; Dukic, N.; Botti, S.; Bertaccini, A. (2003) First report of an Elm yellows subgroup 16SrV-C phytoplasma infecting grapevine in Serbia.
Plant Disease, 87(5), p 599.