Detection of Flavescence Dorée phytoplasma in ampelographic collection at Iaşi, Romania

Abstract

Flavescence dorée phytoplasma (FDP) is a quarantine pathogen in the European Union, where it causes serious damage and has a negative effect on grapevine production. This phytoplasma belongs to the 16SrV ribosomal group (syn. elm yellows group) and is transmitted by the leafhopper Scaphoideus titanus Ball. During 2010 and 2011 a sanitary survey was conducted in ampelographic collection of University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine (USAMV) from Iaşi (Romania) on 170 cultivars belonging to Vitis spp. The results of TAS ELISA test confirm that FDP was present in 19 grapevine cultivars (11.2%) from the total ampelographic collection. Infected foreign cultivars with the highest OD (optical density) values were Chardonnay, André, Michele Palieri, Pinot Gris and Bastarde de Magaraci. Infection was also confirmed in some indigenous cultivars as Moldova, Negru de Căuşani, Fetească neagră, Muscat Ottonel and Vulpe.