Pierce’s disease has been the limiting factor in bunch grape production in Florida. Symptoms include a general loss in plant strength, followed by death of the vine. Different species of grapes have a range of tolerance to Pierce’s disease. High vulnerability of premium wine grapes has practically eliminated the possibility of a wine industry in Florida.
DISEASE SYMPTOMS
- Delayed leafing in the spring
- Shoot dwarfing
- Marginal scalding of leaves
- Leaf mottling and interveinal chlorosis and necrosis
- Wilting and premature coloring of fruit
- Uneven maturity of canes
- Eventual death of the root system
- From IFAS Database (EDIS)
CAUSAL AGENT
- A fastidious bacterium, Xyllella fastidiosa
HOST RANGE
- Grape
GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION
- Southeastern United States
- California
- Southern Ontario
SPREAD OF THE PATHOGEN and CONTROL OPTIONS
- Spread by leafhoppers known as sharpshooters
- Control options: none
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