Transmission of grapevine viroids is not likely to occur mechanically by normal pruning

Authors

  • U. Staub
  • H. Polivka
  • J. V. Herrmann
  • H. J. Gross

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5073/vitis.1995.34.119-123

Keywords:

grapevine viroids, northern blot analysis, RT/PCR, rootstock, vine variety

Abstract

In epidemiological studies the viroid distribution in two local vineyards was determined. Grapevine leaves of different varieties were collected, total RNA isolated and viroid detected by northern blot analysis and/or reverse transcription followed by PCR amplification. Nearly each sample was infected with the grapevine variant of Hop Stunt Viroid and approximately each second additionally with Grapevine Yellow Speckle Viroid 1. Grapevine Yellow Speckle Viroid 2, a third grapevine viroid, was not found. Both grapevine viroids occurred in chlorotic plants as well as in plants without symptoms. In order to investigate viroid spreading through mechanical transmission accomplished during routine cultural practices, the distribution patterns in the two vineyards were analysed. Our results indicate that grapevine viroids are mainly propagated through systemic transmission upon grafting. The examination of different rootstock clones from Northern Italy, which are used for grafting in Germany, further demonstrates that in this case propagation is not due to rootstocks containing viroid but is more likely to occur via infected scion varieties.

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Published

2015-08-14

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