Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/60007
FEBRU AR Y NEWS acramento, Calif.— More than 100 researchers gathered in Sacramento from Dec. 13 to 15 to discuss their current Pierce's disease and glassy- winged sharpshooter research. Dr. Andy Walker of the University of California, Davis, presented results on his work breeding PD-resistant Vitis vinifera vines. These vines have been bred to contain the PD-resistant gene PdR1. In the spring of 2010, Walker and his team planted 2,000 seedlings that were 97% vinifera. In September 2011, Walker evaluated fruit from 1,200 of these vines and even made a small-scale wine from one. The next step will be to determine which of the vines have the best potential for field testing. In his conclusions, Walker said, "strong progress" has been made breeding PD- resistant winegrapes, and he plans to combine winesandvines.com Learn more: Search keywords "PD Control Program." Fight Against Vineyard Foe Advances S Promising research targets Pierce's disease and glassy-winged sharpshooter "Researchers have really gotten to the point now where they're focused on real possibilities to finding a solution to Pierce's disease." —Jay Van Rein, CDFA PD Control Program multiple resistant sources to broaden overall resistance to the disease. (See "Blanc du Bois Takes Root" on page 75 to learn more about the PD-resistant winegrape variety.) Jay Van Rein, a spokesman with the California Department of Food and Ad Size:7.625 in Agriculture's PD Control Program, said it's exciting to hear that research is getting closer to finding solutions to PD. "Researchers have really gotten to the point now where they're focused on real possibilities to finding a solution to Pierce's disease," he said. Success in the lab has been complemented with efforts in the field to contain the GWSS to Southern California. Van Rein said the efforts to control the pest have provided a model to deal with other destructive invasive bugs such as the Asian citrus psyllid and the European grapevine moth. The California PD control program began in 2001, when the state's winegrape growers voted to impose an assessment on their grapes to fund the fight against the pest. —Andrew Adams (Editor's note: Please see Cliff Ohmart's Vineyard View column in the March issue of Wines & Vines for more details about the symposium.) The kind of bank with the solutions to help you have a vintage year. As one of the nation's largest commercial lenders to agribusiness, we understand the cycles and needs of the vineyard business as few others do. We offer a full line of products, including equipment financing, production credit, and development loans. All with specialized teams that give you the kind of service that's put our customers first since 1874. So put our expertise to work for you. Call (888) 232-7241, or visit bankofthewest.com. ©2009 Bank of the West. Member FDIC. Loans subject to credit approval. Wines & Vines FeBRUARY 2012 15 04.15.09 150 L/S Ad Size:4.875 in