Impact of the "Flavescence Dorée" Phytoplasma on Xylem Growth and Anatomical Characteristics in Trunks of 'Chardonnay' Grapevines ().

Flavescence dorée (FD) is a grapevine disease caused by ' Phytoplasma vitis' (FDp), which is epidemically transmitted by the Nearctic leafhopper . In this study, we applied dendrochronological techniques to analyse the response to FDp infections in terms of wood ring widths and anatomical structures of the xylem and phloem tissues of the trunk of the susceptible grapevine cultivar 'Chardonnay.' As a rule, grapevines are susceptible to water shortage and reduce their growth in diameter in case of summer drought.

Gnomoniopsis smithogilvyi causes chestnut canker symptoms in Castanea sativa shoots in Switzerland.

A screening of Castanea sativa scions for grafting for the presence of endophytes showed that the opportunistic fungal pathogen Gnomoniopsis smithogilvyi was the most abundant member of the endophytic flora. This fungus is known as a pathogen affecting chestnut fruits in Italy and Australia. Here, we present evidence that it causes cankers very similar to the ones due to Cryphonectria parasitica infection on twigs and scions of chestnut trees.

Spatial Distribution and Sampling Plans for Grapevine Plant Canopy-Inhabiting Scaphoideus titanus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) Nymphs.

The paper deals with the study of the spatial distribution and the design of sampling plans for estimating nymph densities of the grape leafhopper Scaphoideus titanus Ball in vine plant canopies. In a reference vineyard sampled for model parameterization, leaf samples were repeatedly taken according to a multistage, stratified, random sampling procedure, and data were subjected to an ANOVA. There were no significant differences in density neither among the strata within the vineyard nor between the two strata with basal and apical leaves.

Molecular, proteomic and morphological characterization of the ascomycete Guignardia bidwellii, agent of grape black rot: a polyphasic approach to fungal identification.

Guignardia bidwellii is the etiological agent of grape black rot, a disease affecting Vitis and other Vitaceae that can cause heavy crop losses in vineyards. Its identification is based mainly on morphological characters and the symptoms on plants but, due to their variability, they may be difficult to interpret to reliably distinguish the pathogen to species. To date, despite the economic importance of G.

Towards an improved understanding of the dynamics of vineyard-infesting Scaphoideus titanus leafhopper populations for better timing of management activities.

Background: This paper deals with supervised management of Scaphoideus titanus (Homoptera Cicadellidae) and describes a phenology model designed for improving the understanding of the within-vineyard dynamics and the timing of insect growth regulator (IGR) applications.

Results: The model consists of five components dealing with (a) the beginning of the post-dormancy development of overwintering eggs, (b) the egg hatching patterns, (c) the duration of first-instar nymphs, (d) the development and survival of subsequent instars and (e) the stochastic development of cohorts and their passage into the adult stage. Laboratory data permitted the parameterisation of temperature-dependent development and survival functions.

Microsatellite-based characterization of the Castanea sativa cultivar heritage of southern Switzerland.

Southern Switzerland has a long tradition of chestnut cultivation as a staple food. Local inhabitants constantly selected varieties according to the ripening period, the type of use, and the adaptability to the territory. As a result, the panorama of chestnut varieties is very complex, as reflected by more than 120 different variety names in an area of 26,000 ha.