Dr Chiara Mizzotti, Research Technician at the Università degli Studi di Milano, (Italy) writes about the latest research by the GrAptaResistance team, published in Scientific Reports. Grapevine: economic and agricultural valueGrapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is a crop of great economic and agricultural value throughout the world. In 2019, the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) reported that over 7 …

Oregon Wine Research Institute — The concerning emergence of fungicide resistant grape powdery mildew (Erysiphe necator) to numerous fungicides, has led to a need for new integrative pest management strategies in grape production. Ultraviolet spectrum C (UVC) radiation has been used for over a century to kill or disable microorganisms by damaging their DNA. However, prolonged exposure times have been …

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a relatively new nucleic acid amplification technology where targeted DNA of biological samples are amplified under isothermal conditions. The amplified DNA is then detected by indirect detection methods such as turbidity and non-specific dyes. LAMP surpasses the limitation of expensive thermal cycler requirement of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based amplification and can be implemented by …

This week, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) announced the first detections of the invasive spotted lanternfly found in Michigan. Fortunately, the specimens were dead and there is no evidence that the spotted lanternfly has become established in Michigan. In at least one case, dead adult spotted lanternflies were noticed by a citizen at work, who then photographed …

Foundation Plant Services (FPS) has been testing grapevines in its foundation vineyards for grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV) since 2013. Red blotch infection rates have remained extremely low in the Classic Foundation Vineyard, ranging from 0% to 0.21% since 2013. None of the 4,270 vines were infected in 2020 (see table). Russell Ranch Vineyard (RRV) remained unaffected until 2017 when …

When the crop is in, it is easy to think about putting the sprayer away.  But sometimes there are insect issues that can be addressed in post-harvest, fall or winter periods.  Let’s take up a few now. In general, it is advisable to maintain healthy foliage as long as possible into the fall.  Here are some insect problems that can be addressed to help …

A dead spotted lanternfly (SLF), Lycorma delicatula, was found in a shipment of planters and ceramic pots sent to Oregon from Pennsylvania. Recently, a nursery in the Corvallis area found the dead female specimen and called the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) Insect Pest Prevention and Management Program (1-800-525-0137) to report. “We are grateful to the nursery for alerting us about their …

Entomologists have a unique toolbox of gadgets designed to trap and collect otherwise hard to nab insects.  Beating, sweeping, sucking, and carefully brushing, these scientists have no lack of creativity when it comes to collecting what most people can’t even see.  Yet these collections are critical keys to unravel the mystery of crop-threatening disease, where insects often play the role …