Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/718029
September 2016 WINES&VINES 63 WINE EAST GRAPEGROWING In turn, Cornell virologist Marc Fuchs, the three New York-based grapevine nurseries and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSDAM) have worked together to revise and resurrect New York's vine-certi- fication program, which will provide perhaps the most rigorous standards for testing and certifying grapevine mother blocks in the United States. The nurseries are investing hun- dreds of thousands of dollars in new "increase blocks" and new procedures to produce certi- fied vines for the industry. Background Grapevines are potential hosts for more than 60 different viral pathogens. These viruses have a variety of effects, but many are associ- ated with reduced yield and quality. Once in- fected, vines in commercial vineyards remain infected; there are no treatments that can be applied in the field to "cure" the infection. Viruses spread to infect additional vines two ways: First, through propagation of infected budwood, which spreads viruses to new vine- yards. Second, once infected vines are present, insect and nematode vectors can transmit the viruses to uninfected vines within vineyards. Vineyard surveys from New York, Virginia and Michigan tell a consistent story about the fre- quency of infected vines in eastern North America. Two-thirds of vineyard blocks sampled (see table "Grapevine Leafroll Incidence in New York, Vir- ginia and Michigan) had at least one vine that tested positive for grapevine leafroll-associated viruses, and overall, 26%-33% of the samples tested positive for GLRaV—most commonly GLRaV-3, which is vectored by grape mealybug. In Michigan, Annemiek Schilder (unpub- lished data) also surveyed for tobacco ringspot virus (TRSV) and found positive samples in 18% of the 47 vineyards surveyed. A second Virginia survey (Fuchs, Schilder & Nita, 2016) detected 166 out of 722 grape- vines (23%) infected with GLRaV-3; 372 out of 722 (51%) with rupestris stem-pitting virus; and, remarkably, 125 out of 574 (22%) with detectable grapevine red blotch-associ- ated virus. In each state, around 25% of the samples had multiple infections. Propagating clean vines tested for viral in- fections is the key to preventing the spread of viruses to newly planted vineyards. This re- quires a concerted effort starting with founda- tion blocks at clean plant centers and continuing through nursery "increase blocks" to final de- livery of finished vines to growers. Traceability and auditing are key to this process. Trace- ability means that the final product (commer- cial vines) can be traced directly back to the source material. Auditing means that vines, Natural Corks Champagne Corks Twinline Corks Bartops VISION Synthetic Corks G-Cap® Screw Caps Sales Representatives: Chris & Liz Stamp info@lakewoodcork.com lakewoodcork.com 4024 State Route 14 Watkins Glen, NY 14891 607-535-9252 607-535-6656 Fax PIONEER INNOVATOR PARTNER CALL US for a catalog or more information 800-634-5557 www.oescoinc.com Lancman wine presses, take a bow! These top-quality presses from Europe are effi cient & easy to use, with just a garden hose & household water pressure. P.O. Box 540, Route 116 8 Ashfi eld Road, Conway, MA 01341 The inside view: Rubber bladder expands to press grapes against inner surface of basket. • 4 models: volumes of 80, 120, 170, 250 liters. • Stainless steel basket, lid & carriage • Easy to transport & maneuver - 2 fi xed wheels, 2 swivel • Tilts 90° for easy cleaning • Pressure gauge for accurate monitoring TM The National Clean Plant Network tests for dis- eases such as grapevine leafroll virus, which has infected this Cabernet Franc vine.