Situation of Grapevine Pinot gris virus in Italy
Since 2003, the presence of a new syndrome characterized by symptoms of stunting, chlorotic mottling, leaf deformation, reduced yields and quality has been reported in grapevine (Vitis vinifera) in Trentino-Alto Adige (EPPO RS 2014/006). In 2012, molecular analysis (deep-sequencing) of 2 plants (V. vinifera cv. Pinot gris – 1 symptomatic and 1 asymptomatic) led to the identification of a new virus tentatively called Grapevine Pinot gris virus (Trichovirus, GPGV). Subsequent studies could also detect the virus in other Northern regions of Italy (Emilia-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lombardia, Veneto), as well as in other European countries (Czech Republic, France, Slovakia, Slovenia) and in the Republic of Korea (see EPPO RS 2014/208, 2015/055).
In Friuli-Venezia Giulia, the Plant Protection Service initiated a large-scale survey of GPGV from 2012 to 2014. In this region, Pinot gris, Traminer, Friulano (tokay) and Glera (Prosecco) are the most affected cultivars. Samples (1294 in total) were collected from symptomatic and asymptomatic plants in vineyards and nurseries, and tested in the laboratory (PCR tests). Results showed that GPGV was present in approximately 95% of the tested symptomatic samples and in 61-87% of the asymptomatic samples (depending on the year studied). Field observations indicated a widespread occurrence of this syndrome in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, although the percentage of affected vine was generally limited. A progressive increase of the symptomatic vines (from 14.7 to 33.9%) was also observed during the studied period. It is concluded that although these results show that GPGV is widespread in Friuli-Venezia Giulia and plays a role in the observed syndrome, the virus presence in asymptomatic grapevine plants still remains to be explained.
Finally, GPGV was also detected in Southern Italy during spring 2014. The virus was found in 2 distinct areas of Puglia region in table grapes (V. vinifera cvs. ‘Black Magic’ and ‘Supernova’).
Sources
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Bianchi GL, De Amicis F, De Sabbata L, Di Bernardo N, Governatori G, Nonino F, Prete G, Marrazzo T, Versolatto S, Frausin C (2015) Occurrence of Grapevine Pinot gris virus in Friuli Venezia Giulia (Italy): field monitoring and virus quantification by real-time RT-PCR. Bulletin OEPP/EPPO Bulletin 45(1), 22-32.
Casati P, Durante G, Quaglino F, Sacchi E, Bianco PA (2014) Preliminary data on the presence of Grapevine Pinot gris virus in Lombardy. Journal of Plant Pathology 96(suppl.), S4.46-47.
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Raiola A, Scopel C, Ferrigo D, Taglietti F, Duso C, Causin R (2013) First report of Grapevine Pinot gris virus infecting cv. Glera in the Conegliano-Valdobbiadene area. Journal of Plant Pathology 95(4S), S4.58.