Grapevine flavescence dorée

Grapevine flavescence dorée is a severe quarantine disease caused by the phytoplasma Candidatus Phytoplasma vitis. It is considered one of the most destructive phytoplasmal diseases in viticulture worldwide, as it can cause complete vineyard abandonment if not managed effectively.

The disease exclusively affects grapevines (Vitis vinifera) and their hybrids. The transmission occurs primarily through the leafhopper Scaphoideus titanus, which acts as a vector. Once the insect acquires the phytoplasma from an infected plant, it remains infectious for its entire life, efficiently spreading the disease across the vineyard.

Symptoms usually appear in early summer. Leaves on affected shoots roll downwards and develop a yellow or red discoloration, while the shoots themselves remain green and flexible, often failing to lignify properly. Fruit clusters often wither and drop prematurely, resulting in total loss of crop for the affected vine.

The spread of this disease is highly dependent on the lifecycle and activity of the vector. Warm, humid conditions favor the reproduction of Scaphoideus titanus. The disease can also be spread through the introduction of infected nursery stock, which poses a major risk to previously disease-free wine-growing regions.

Management strategies focus on eradication and prevention. Since there is no chemical cure for infected vines, infested plants must be immediately grubbed out and destroyed to eliminate the source of the pathogen. Farmers must implement mandatory insecticide treatments against the leafhopper vector and rely on certified, virus-free plant material to secure the future of the vineyard.