Studies on Cost Analysis of Viral Diagnostics and Red Leaf Symptoms in Grapevines

Download or read book Studies on Cost Analysis of Viral Diagnostics and Red Leaf Symptoms in Grapevines written by Kaitlin McKenzie Hadaway and published by . This book was released on 2019 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Grapevines (Vitis vinifera) are extensively cultivated worldwide for the production of wine grapes, table grapes and raisins. Consequently, vinifera grapevines are exposed to a myriad of biotic and abiotic constraints affecting vine health and reducing fruit yield and quality. Among the biotic constraints, viruses such as Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3) and Grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV) are considered economically important and affecting sustainability of vineyards in Washington State. Unlike white-fruited wine grape cultivars, red-fruited cultivars display leaf reddening or red leaves as a general response to not only infections with GLRaV-3 and GRBV, but also to certain biotic and abiotic stress factors. Although diagnostic assays are available to differentiate red leaf symptoms due to viral infections from those induced by abiotic and biotic stress factors, large-scale testing of grapevines is becoming costly and unsustainable for growers to utilize diagnostic methods in disease management strategies. As testing vines is a crucial component to manage viral diseases in vineyards, a project was initiated to estimate the costs associated with testing for GLRaV-3 and GRBV by molecular diagnostic methods under non-commercial settings. The results presented in this study showed that employing a simplified sample preparation protocol in combination with molecular diagnostics assays can reduce the cost burden of virus testing benefiting growers and other end users. In a second project, studies were conducted to compare biochemical components of red leaves in certain red-fruited cultivars produced due to viral infections, mite herbivory, and mechanical damage to shoots. These leaf samples together with controls were analyzed for pigments (chlorophylls, carotenoids and anthocyanins) and carbohydrates (glucose, fructose, and sucrose) using appropriate analytical methods. The results indicated overall reduction in chlorophyll and carotenoids and accumulation of anthocyanins and carbohydrates in leaves showing red leaf symptoms induced by biotic and abiotic stressors compared to green leaves from healthy vines. The data obtained in this study laid a foundation for future studies to better understand underlying causes and consequences of red leaf symptoms produced by distinct stress factors.