Viruses, virus-like diseases and viroids of grapevine that should not be regulated
In addition to the recent work done on phantom agents of fruit crops (EPPO RS 2025/130), a review was recently conducted by a group of virologists from over 120 institutions worldwide to consider additional viruses, virus-like diseases, and viroids that should not be subject to regulatory oversight in relation to grapevine. The list includes nine viruses, nine viroids, 14 virus-like diseases, and 129 presumed viruses of the grapevine, that are not phantom agents but should be excluded from regulation or should not be regulated. This list is anticipated to assist policy makers adopt regulations that expedite the safe exchange of Vitis germplasm across regulatory boundaries while reducing incentives for illicit introductions.
Table 1 Virus and viroids that should not be regulated on grapevine because they have no impact on grapevine
Name | Acronym | EPPO Code | Reason why they should not be regulated |
Cherry leafroll virus (Nepovirus avii) | CLRV | CLRV00 | Latent infection, no impact |
Grapevine asteroid mosaic-associated virus (Marafivirus asteroides) | GAMaV | GAMAV0 | Latent infection, no impact |
Grapevine fleck virus (Maculavirus vitis) | GFkV | GFKV00 | Latent infection, no impact |
Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 7 (Velarivirus septemvitis) | GLRaV7 | GLRAV7 | Latent infection, no impact |
Grapevine Red Globe virus | GRGV | GRGV00 | Latent infection, no impact |
Grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus (Foveavirus rupestris) | GRSPaV | GVRSP0 | Latent infection, no impact |
Grapevine rupestris vein feathering virus | GRVFV | GRVFV0 | Latent infection, no impact |
Grapevine Syrah virus 1 (Marafivirus syrahense) | GSyV1 | GSYV10 | Latent infection, no impact |
Grapevine-associated marafivirus | GaMV | - | Latent infection, no impact |
Australian grapevine viroid (Apscaviroid austravitis) | AGVd | AGVD00 | No impact |
Citrus exocortis viroid (Pospiviroid exocortiscitri= | CEVd | CEVD00 | No impact |
Grapevine hammerhead viroid | GHVd | - | No impact |
Grapevine latent viroid | GLVd | - | No impact |
Grapevine yellow speckle viroid 1 (Apscaviroid alphaflavivitis) | GYSVd1 | GYSVD1 | No impact |
Grapevine yellow speckle viroid 2 (Apscaviroid betaflavivitis) | GYSVd2 | GYSVD2 | No impact |
Grapevine yellow speckle viroid 3 | GYSVd3 | - | No impact |
Hop stunt viroid (Hostuviroid impedihumuli) | HSVd | HSVD00 | No impact |
Japanese grapevine viroid | JGVd | - | No impact |
Among the 14 virus-like diseases of uncertain etiology and limited impact that should not be regulated, the following have EPPO Codes: Ajinashika (associated with grapevine Ajinashika-associated virus - GAV000), Vein necrosis (GVVN00) and Vein mosaic (GVVM00).
Finally the article lists 129 viruses that include grapevine in their name because they were first identified when characterizing the microbiome of grapevines by HTS, but that should not be regulated because they probably do not use grapevine as a host. None of them have an EPPO Code.
Sources
Fuchs M, Rwahnih MA, Blouin AG, Burger J, Chooi KM, Constable F, Ertunc F, Fiore N, Habili N, Hily JM, Katis N (2025) A list of eclectic viruses, virus-like diseases and viroids of grapevines that should not be considered for regulatory oversight: a global plea from virologists. Journal of Plant Pathology 107, 847-858. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42161-025-01871-9