Thèses sur le sujet « Trunk disease of grapevine »

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Grapevine trunk diseases are a cause of decline and loss of productivity in grapevines at all stages of growth. These diseases are caused by a complex of wood-inhabiting fungi that infect mainly through pruning wounds. The management of these diseases relies on wound protection to prevent infection since there are no eradicative control measures to cure infected vines. There are few or no fungicides registered for grapevine pruning wound protection in most countries, while Trichoderma biocontrol agents are often available. This study aimed at improving grapevine wound protection by Trichoderma (T.) spp. and to gain a better understanding of the factors and mechanisms involved in biocontrol. The effect of pruning time (early or late) and five timings of application of the biocontrol agent after pruning on pruning wound colonisation by T. atroviride and T. harzianum were determined. Chenin blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards were pruned in July (early) and August (late) of 2011 and 2012, and pruning wounds were treated with suspensions of the Trichoderma spp. at various times (0, 6, 24, 48 and 96 hours) after pruning. Wound colonisation was depended on the physiological state of the vine at pruning for both cultivars. However, for the 2012 season in Chenin blanc, wound colonisation was similarly high for both pruning times, which was attributed to high rainfall and humidity. Application of the biocontrol agents 6 hours after pruning consistently resulted in high wound colonisation by the Trichoderma spp. in both cultivars and pruning times. In both cultivars, pruning wound infection due to natural inoculum was higher in wounds made in late winter than those made earlier. The effect of conidial formulation in nutritional (glucose, yeast extract and urea) and bio-enhancing (chitin and cell free culture filtrates) additives, on pruning wound colonisation by T. atroviride was also investigated. Nutritional additives increased the extent of pruning wound colonisation by T. atroviride compared to the un-amended conidial suspensions in a glass house study. The additives as well as Garrison, a fungicide containing pruning wound paint, and Eco77®, a registered T. harzianum biocontrol product, were tested in field trials for wound protection from infection by Phaeomoniella (Pa.) chlamydospora. In 2011, the pathogen was inoculated a day after pruning and all the Trichoderma spp. treatments similarly reduced Pa. chlamydospora infection by 75% to 90% in Thompson Seedless, while control was less in Chenin blanc and ranged from 40% to 74%. In 2012, the trial was carried out on Chenin blanc only and the pathogen was inoculated at intervals of 1, 3 and 7 days after pruning. Wound protection by the Trichoderma treatments was highest when wounds were inoculated with Pa. chlamydospora seven days after pruning. Two conidial formulations, a culture filtrate made from a chitin based medium and a combination of yeast extract, urea and glucose, consistently enhanced biocontrol efficacy. These formulations reduced Pa. chlamydospora infection to levels similar to those of Garrison. The integration of chemical and biological wound protection could provide both immediate and long term wound protection, but is limited by the sensitivity of the biocontrol agent to fungicides. Benzimidazole resistant Trichoderma strains were generated by gamma irradiation from the wild type isolates of T. atroviride (UST1 and UST2) and T. harzianum (T77). Mutants from UST1 and UST2 were of similar biological fitness as the wild type isolates and retained their in vitro antagonistic activity against grapevine trunk pathogens, while the mutant from T77 had reduced fitness and was not antagonistic to the pathogens. The wild type, UST1, and its mutant were tested alone and in combination with thiophanate methyl and carbendazim, respectively, for their ability to prevent pruning wound infection by Pa. chlamydospora. The combination of the UST1 mutant and carbendazim was the most effective treatment and gave the highest reduction in Pa. chlamydospora infection (70% to 93% control). Grapevine cell cultures were used to compare the response of grapevines to T. atroviride and Eutypa (E.) lata as a first step to determining the importance of Trichoderma-grapevine interactions in pruning wound bio-protection. The expression of genes coding for enzymes of the phenylpropanoid pathway and pathogenesis related (PR) proteins was profiled over a 48-hour period using quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR. The cell cultures responded to fungal elicitors in a hypersensitive-like response that lead to a decrease in cell viability. Fungal elicitors from both fungi triggered the same genes and caused up-regulation of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), 4 coumaroyl Co-A ligase (CCo-A), stilbene synthase (STS), chitinase class IV (CHIT IV), PR 3 and PR 4, and a down regulation of chalcone synthase (CHS) genes. Higher expression of PAL and CHIT IV in cell cultures treated with the T. atroviride elicitor led to a significantly higher (P < 0.05) total phenolic content and chitinolytic enzyme activity of the cell cultures compared to cell cultures treated with the E. lata elicitor. The response of the cell cultures to the T. atroviride elicitor signifies that the induction of grapevine resistance may be involved in wound bio-protection. The role of secondary metabolites produced by Trichoderma spp. used in pruning wound protection was also investigated. A volatile antimicrobial compound, 6-pentyl α-pyrone (6PP), was isolated and found to be the major secondary metabolite from the T. atroviride (UST1 and UST2) and T. harzianum (T77) isolates. This metabolite was found to inhibit mycelial growth, spore and conidia germination of E. lata, Neofussicocum (N.) australe, N. parvum and Pa. chlamydospora. The production of 6PP was induced when the T. atroviride isolates were grown in a grapevine wood extract medium while for UST1, the 6PP concentration was further doubled when it was co-cultured with N. parvum. Results therefore, indicate that 6PP is involved in the Trichoderma-pathogen interactions on pruning wounds. The results of this study have provided new information in regards to the application of Trichoderma-based pruning wound products. The best time of application proved to be 6 hours post pruning. The formulation of conidial suspensions of Trichoderma spp. with nutritional additives and in protein extracts of the biocontrol agent showed potential in reducing variability of wound bio-protection. However, further research would be necessary to develop commercial products. The application of a fungicide together with Trichoderma spp. in the field holds promise to improve control, but would require further trials for possible commercialisation. This study is the first to report on grapevine host defence genes that are activated by the Trichoderma spp. used in pruning wound protection. Together with the characterisation of the major secondary metabolite produced by these Trichoderma spp., this information aids in understanding the mechanisms involved in the complex interaction between the biocontrol agent, the host and the pathogen.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Wingerdstamsiektes veroorsaak terugsterwing en verlies aan produktiwiteit in wingerdstokke gedurende alle groeifases. Hierdie siektes word veroorsaak deur „n verskeidenheid van hout-koloniserende swamme wat die wingerdstok meestal deur snoeiwonde infekteer. Die bestuur van hierdie siektes is afhanklik van wondbeskerming om infeksie te verhoed, omdat daar geen uitwissende beheermetodes na infeksie bestaan nie. In meeste lande is daar min of geen swamdoders geregistreer vir snoeiwond beskerming, terwyl Trichoderma biobeheer agente gereëld beskikbaar is. Hierdie studie poog om wingerd wondbeskerming deur Trichoderma (T.) spp. te verbeter en „n meer volledige begrip van die faktore en meganismes betrokke by biologiese beheer te ontwikkel. Die effek van die tydsberekening van snoei (vroeg of laat) en vyf behandelingstye van die biobeheer agent na snoei op die kolonisering van snoeiwonde deur T. atroviride en T. harzianum is bepaal. Chenin blanc en Cabernet Sauvignon wingerde is gesnoei gedurende Julie (vroeg) en Augustus (laat) in 2011 en 2012, en snoeiwonde is behandel met Trichoderma spp. suspensies op verskillende tydspunte (0, 6, 24, 48 en 96 ure) na snoei. Wond-kolonisering was afhanklik van die fisiologiese toestand van die wingerdstok gedurende snoei vir albei kultivars. Gedurende die 2012 seisoen was wond-kolonisering ewe hoog vir albei snoeitye op Chenin blanc. Dit is verklaar deur hoë reënval en humiditeit gedurende daardie seisoen. Die aanwending van biobeheer agente 6 ure na snoei het konsekwent hoë kolonisering deur Trichoderma spp. tot gevolg gehad op albei kultivars en albei snoeitye. In albei kultivars is wondinfeksie as gevolg van natuurlike inokulum hoër gewees in wonde gemaak gedurende laat winter as in wonde wat vroeër in die seisoen gemaak is. Die effek van konidia formulasie in voeding (glukose, gisekstrak en urea) en bioverbetering (chitien en sel-vrye kultuurfiltraat) toevoegings op snoeiwond-kolonisering deur T. atroviride is ook ondersoek. Voeding toevoegings het die omvangs van snoeiwond-kolonisering deur T. atroviride vergroot in vergelyking met ongewysigde konidia suspensies gedurende „n glashuis studie. Die toevoegings, sowel as Garrison, „n snoeiwond verf wat „n swamdoder bevat, en Eco77®, „n geregistreerde T. harzianum biobeheer produk, is getoets in veldproewe vir wondbeskerming teen infeksie deur Phaeomoniella (Pa.) chlamydospora. In 2011 is die patogeen geïnokuleer „n dag na snoei en al die Trichoderma spp. behandelings het infeksie verminder met 75% tot 90% op Thompson Seedless. Beheer was minder suksesvol op Chenin blanc, waar slegs 40% tot 74% beheer behaal is. In 2012 is die proef uitgevoer slegs op Chenin blanc en die patogeen is geïnokuleer teen intervalle van 1, 3 en 7 dae na snoei. Wondbeskerming by die Trichoderma behandelinge was die hoogste wanneer wonde sewe dae na snoei geïnokuleer is met Pa. chlamydospora. Twee konidia formulasies, „n kultuurfiltraat wat bestaan het uit „n chitien-gebaseerde medium en „n kombinasie van gisekstrak, urea en glukose het deurlopend die effektiwiteit van biobeheer verbeter. Hierdie formulasies het Pa. chlamydospora infeksie verminder tot soortgelyke vlakke behaal deur Garrison. Die integrasie van chemiese- en biobeheer in wondbeskerming kan onmiddelike en langtermyn wondbeskerming bied, maar is beperk deur die sensitiwiteit van die biobeheer agent teen swamdoders. Benzimidazole-weerstandbiedende Trichoderma isolate is ontwikkel deur gamma-bestraling van die wilde-tipe isolate van T. atroviride (UST1 en UST2) en T. harzianum (T77). Mutante van UST1 en UST2 het soortgelyke biologiese fiksheid getoon as die wilde-tipe en het hul in vitro antagonistiese aktiwiteit teen wingerd stampatogene behou, terwyl die mutant van T77 verminderde fiksheid getoon het en nie meer antagonisties teen patogene was nie. Die wilde-tipe, UST1, en sy mutant is apart en in kombinasie met thiofanaatmetiel en carbendazim, respektiewelik, getoets vir die vermoë om snoeiwonde te beskerm teen Pa. chlamydospora. Die kombinasie van die UST1 mutant met carbendazim was die mees effektiewe behandeling en het die hoogste vermindering in Pa. chlamydospora infeksie gelewer (70 tot 93% beheer). As „n beginpunt om die belang van Trichoderma-wingerd interaksies in snoiewondbeheer te bepaal, is die invloed van T. atroviride en Eutypa (E.) lata op somatiese selkulture van wingerd vergelyk. Die effek van dié behandelings op ensieme in die fenielpropanoïedweg en patogenese-verwante (PR) proteïene is bepaal deur intydse PKR (real time PCR) van die korresponderende gene oor „n 48 uur tydperk. Die swam-afkomstige ontlokkers het „n hipersensitiewe-tipe reaksie in die selkulture ontlok, wat tot „n afname in sellewensvatbaarheid gelei het. Ontlokkers afkomstig van beide swamme het dieselfde gene aangeskakel en het induksie van fenielalanien ammoniak-liase (PAL), 4 kumaroïel Ko-A ligase (CCo-A), stilbeen sintase (STS), chitienase klas IV (CHIT IV), PR 3 en PR 4 veroorsaak en „n onderdrukking in chalkoon sintase (CHS) gene tot gevolg gehad. Hoër uitdrukking van PAL en CHIT IV in selkulture behandel met die T. atroviride ontlokker het gelei tot „n beduidende hoër (P < 0.05) totale fenoolinhoud en chitienolitiese aktiwiteit in selkulture in vergelyking met selkulture wat behandel is met die E. lata ontlokker. Die reaksie van die selkulture op die T. atroviride ontlokker dui daarop dat die induksie van wingerd weerstandbiedenheid betrokke mag wees in wond biobeheer. Die rol van sekondêre metaboliete geproduseer deur Trichoderma spp. wat gebruik word in snoeiwond beheer is ook ondersoek. „n Vlugtige antimikrobiese verbinding, 6-pentiel α-pyroon (6PP) is geïsoleer en bepaal om die hoof sekondêre metaboliet afkomstig vanuit die T. atroviride (UST1 en UST2) en T. harzianum (T77) isolate te wees. Hierdie metaboliet is betrokke by inhibisie van miselium groei, spoor en konidium ontkieming van E. lata, Neofusicoccum (N.) australe, N. parvum en Pa. chlamydospora. Die produksie van 6PP is geïnduseer deur die T. atroviride in wingerd hout ekstrak te kweek. In die geval van UST1, is die 6PP konsenstrasie verdubbel deur die isolaat met saam met N. parvum te kweek. Hierdie resultaat is „n aanduiding dat 6PP betrokke is in die Trichoderma-patogeen interaksie op snoeiwonde. Die resultate van hierdie studie het nuwe inligting met betrekking tot die aanwending van Trichoderma-gebaseerde snoeiwond produkte verskaf. Die beste tyd vir aanwending van sulke produkte was 6 ure na snoei. Die formulasie van konidia suspensies van Trichoderma spp. met voeding toevoegings en in proteïen ekstrakte van die biobeheer agent het potensiaal getoon in die vermindering van variasie in wondbeskerming deur biobeheer agente. Verdere navorsing sal nodig wees om kommersiële produkte te ontwikkel. Die aanwending van „n swamdoder saam met Trichoderma spp. in die wingerd is belowend om beheer te verbeter, maar het meer proewe nodig voor kommersialisering. Hierdie studie is die eerste om wingerd beskerming gene wat deur Trichoderma spp. geaktiveer word aan te meld. Laasgenoemde, saam met die beskrywing van die hoof sekondêre metaboliete wat deur hierdie Trichoderma spp. geproduseer word, dra by tot „n meer volledige begrip van die meganismes betrokke by die komplekse interaksie tussen die biobeheer agent, die gasheer en die patogeen.

Thesis (MScAgric (Plant Pathology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A survey was undertaken on apple and pear trees in the Western Cape Province to determine the aetiology of trunk diseases with reference to trunk diseases occurring on grapevine. Grapevine trunk diseases cause the gradual decline and dieback of vines resulting in a decrease in the vine’s capability to carry and ripen fruit. In recent years, viticulture has been expanding into several of the well established pome fruit growing areas. The presence of trunk pathogens in pome fruit orchards may affect the health of the pome fruit trees as well as cause a threat to young vineyards planted in close proximity to these potential sources of viable inoculum. Several genera containing species known to be involved in trunk disease on pome fruit and grapevine were found, including Diplodia, Neofusicoccum, Eutypa, Phaeoacremonium and Phomopsis. Diplodia seriata and D. pyricolum, were isolated along with N. australe and N. vitifusiforme. Four Phaeoacremonium species, P. aleophilum, P. iranianum, P. mortoniae and P. viticola, two Phomopsis species linked to clades identified in former studies as Phomopsis sp. 1 and Phomopsis sp. 7, and Eutypa lata were found. In addition, Paraconiothyrium brasiliense and Pa. variabile, and an unidentified Pyrenochaetalike species were found. Of these the Phaeoacremonium species have not been found on pear wood and it is a first report of P. aleophilum occurring on apple. This is also a first report of the Phomopsis species and Eutypa lata found occurring on pome trees in South Africa Two new coelomycetous fungi were also found including a Diplodia species, Diplodia pyricolum sp. nov., and a new genus, Pyrenochaetoides gen. nov. with the type species, Pyrenochaetoides mali sp. nov., were described from necrotic pear and apple wood. The combined ITS and EF1-α phylogeny supported the new Diplodia species, which is closely related to D. mutila and D. africana. The new species is characterised by conidia that become pigmented and 1-septate within the pycnidium, and that are intermediate in size between the latter two Diplodia species. Phylogenetic inference of the SSU of the unknown coelomycete provided bootstrap support (100%) for a monophyletic clade unrelated to known genera, and basal to Phoma and its relatives. Morphologically the new genus is characterised by pycnidial with elongated necks that lack setae, cylindrical conidiophores that are seldomly branched at the base, and Phoma-like conidia. The phylogenetic results combined with its dissimilarity from genera allied to Phoma, lead to the conclusion that this species represents a new genus. A pathogenicity trial was undertaken to examine the role of these species on apple, pear and grapevine shoots. N. australe caused the longest lesions on grapevine shoots, while Pyrenochaetoides mali, Pa. variabile, D. seriata and P. mortoniae caused lesions that were significantly longer than the control inoculations. On pears, D. pyricolum and N. australe caused the longest lesions, followed by D. seriata and E. lata. On apples, the longest lesions were caused by N. australe and P. iranianum. D. seriata, D. pyricolum, E. lata, N. vitifusiforme, Pa. brasiliense, P. aleophilum and P. mortoniae also caused lesions on apple that were significantly longer than the control. The study demonstrated that close cultivation of grapevine to apple and pear orchards may have inherent risks in terms of the free availability of viable inoculum of trunk disease pathogens.
No Afrikaans abstract available.

Thesis (MScAgric (Plant Pathology))--Stellenbosch University, 2008.
In recent years, several studies have conclusively shown that numerous pathogens, including several species in the Botryosphaeriaceae, Phomopsis, Phaeoacremonium, as well as Phaeomoniella chlamydospora and Eutypa lata, contribute to premature decline and dieback of grapevines. These pathogens have the ability to infect grapevines through pruning wounds, which leads to a wide range of symptoms developing that includes stunted growth, cankers and several types of wood necrosis. Pruning wounds stay susceptible for 2 to 16 weeks after pruning and sustained levels of pruning wound protection is therefore required. The aims of this study were to (i) evaluate the ability of several biological agents to protect pruning wounds, (ii) characterise unknown Trichoderma strains and identify their modes of action and (iii) determine the optimal time of season for biological agent application. Several biological agents were initially evaluated in a laboratory for their antagonism against trunk disease pathogens. The best performing control agents were tested in a field trial conducted on Merlot and Chenin blanc vines in the Stellenbosch region. Spurs were pruned to three buds and the fresh pruning wounds were treated with benomyl as a control treatment, Trichoderma-based commercial products, Vinevax® and Eco77®, Bacillus subtilis, and Trichoderma isolates, USPP-T1 and -T2. Seven days after treatment the pruning wounds were spray inoculated with spore suspensions of four Botryosphaeriaceae spp. (Neofusicoccum australe, N. parvum, Diplodia seriata and Lasiodiplodia theobromae), Eutypa lata, Phaeomoniella chlamydospora and Phomopsis viticola. After a period of 8 months the treatments were evaluated by isolations onto potato dextrose agar. Trichodermabased products and isolates in most cases showed equal or better efficacy than benomyl, especially USPP-T1 and -T2. Moreover, these isolates demonstrated a very good ability to colonise the wound tissue. The two uncharacterised Trichoderma isolates (USPP-T1 and USPP-T2), which were shown to be highly antagonistic toward the grapevine trunk disease pathogens, were identified by means of DNA comparison, and their ability to inhibit the mycelium growth of the trunk disease pathogens by means of volatile and non-volatile metabolite production studied. The two gene areas that were used include the internal transcribed spacers (ITS 1 and 2) and the 5.8S ribosomal RNA gene and the translation elongation factor 1 (EF). The ITS and EF sequences were aligned to published Trichoderma sequences and the percentage similarity determined and the two Trichoderma isolates were identified as Trichoderma atroviride. The volatile production of T. atroviride isolates was determined by placing an inverted Petri dish with Trichoderma on top of a dish with a pathogen isolate and then sealed with parafilm. Trichoderma isolates were grown for 2 days on PDA where after they were inverted over PDA plates containing mycelial plugs. The inhibition ranged from 23.6% for L. theobromae to 72.4% for P. viticola. Inhibition by non-volatile products was less than for the volatile inhibition. Inhibition ranged from 7.5% for N. parvum to 20.6% for L. theobromae. In the non-volatile inhibition USPP-T1 caused significantly more mycelial inhibition than USPP-T2. The timing of pruning wound treatment and subsequent penetration and colonisation of the wound site was also determined. One-year-old canes of the Shiraz and Chenin blanc cultivars were grown in a hydroponic system, pruned and spray treated with a spore suspension of Trichoderma atroviride (USPP-T1) as well as a fluorescent pigment. On intervals 1, 3, 5 and 7 days after treatment, the distal nodes were removed and dissected longitudinally. From the one half, isolations were made at various distances from the pruning surface, while the other half was observed under ultra-violet light to determine the depth of fluorescent pigment penetration. Shortly after spray-inoculation of a fresh pruning wound, Trichoderma was isolated only from the wound surface and shallow depths into the wound (2 to 5 mm). One week after inoculation, Trichoderma was isolated at 10 mm depths, and after 2 weeks, at 15 mm depths. Fluorescent pigment particles were observed to a mean depth of 6 mm, which suggests that initial isolation of Trichoderma at these depths was resultant of the physical deposition of conidia deeper into the pruning wound tissue, whereas the isolation of Trichoderma from deeper depths might be attributed to colonisation of grapevine tissue. In a vineyard trial, fluorescent pigment was spray-applied to pruning wounds of Shiraz and Chenin blanc grapevines during July and September at intervals 0, 1, 3, 7 and 14 days after pruning. One week after treatment, the distal nodes were removed and dissected longitudinally. Each half was observed under UV light and the pigment penetration measured. For Chenin blanc and Shiraz, July pruning wounds showed significant deeper penetration of the pigment than pruning wounds treated in September. Moreover, pruning wounds made in September showed pigment particles in longitudinal sections up to 1 day after pruning, whereas wounds made in July showed pigment particles up to 3 days in the xylem vessels. These findings suggest that the best time for application of a biological control agent should be within the first 24 hours after pruning.

Grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs) is one of the most important groups of fungal diseases affecting grapevine plants in all the major growing regions of the world, with more than 130 fungal species associated. All grapevine species are susceptible to these diseases and their complete eradication is not possible for many reasons. In addition, GTDs are influenced by the type of disease and/or pathogens involved, leading management of this diseases complex to focus primarily on disease prevention and mitigation. Focusing on finding alternatives to avoid the spread and higher incidence of the disease, the present work had the aim to identify molecularly the phytopathogenic fungi responsible for GTDs present in vineyards of Alentejo region, and to test the antagonist potential of some endophytes against those pathogens. PCR assays followed sequencing of ITS region were performed to identify fungi and among them, three GTDs fungi were identified at genera level (Diaporthe sp., Pestalotiopsis sp., Neofusicocum sp.) and six at specie level (Hormonema viticola, Stereum armeniaccum, Phialophora fastigiata, Truncatella angustata, Cytospora acaciae, Diplodia pseudoseriata). The most prevalent fungus verified in the samples were Diaporthe sp., Neofusicocum sp. and Hormonema viticola in symptomatic plants. Almost all these pathogens were also verified in asymptomatic plants, highlighting the incidence of Hormonema viticola, what confirms the need of early diagnosis of this diseases complex. All the endophyte used in the direct inhibition antagonism test had the capacity of inhibit the pathogen mycelia growth, showing their potential biocontrol. This study allowed a deeper knowledge of the fungi present in vineyards from Alentejo region associated to GTDs and will contribute to further studies on fungi molecular identification in order to monitor the behaviour of the disease in the vineyards; Resumo: Identificação de espécies de fungos associadas a doenças do lenho em videira na região do Alentejo As doenças do lenho da videira são um dos grupos mais importantes de doenças fúngicas que afetam as plantas da videira em todas as principais regiões produtoras do mundo, com mais de 130 espécies de fungos associadas. Todas as espécies de videira são suscetíveis a essas doenças e sua erradicação completa não é possível por diversos motivos. Além disso, as doenças do lenho são influenciadas pelo tipo de doença e / ou agentes patogénicos envolvidos, levando a gestão deste complexo de doenças a concentrar-se principalmente na prevenção e mitigação de doenças. Com o objetivo de encontrar alternativas para evitar a disseminação e maior incidência da doença, o trabalho aqui apresentado teve como objetivo identificar molecularmente os fungos fitopatogénicos responsáveis pelas doenças do lenho presentes em vinhas da região do Alentejo, e testar o potencial antagonismo de alguns fungos endófitos contra esses agentes patogénicos. Os testes de PCR seguidos de sequenciação da região ITS foram realizados para identificar os fungos, tendo sido identificados três fungos causadores de doenças do lenho ao nível de género (Diaporthe sp., Pestalotiopsis sp., Neofusicocum sp.) e seis ao nível de espécie (Hormonema viticola, Stereum armeniaccum, Phialophora fastigiata, Truncatella angustata, Cytospora acaciae, Diplodia pseudoseriata). Os fungos mais prevalentes verificados nas amostras foram Diaporthe sp., Neofusicocum sp. e Hormonema viticola em plantas sintomáticas. A grande maioria dos agentes patogénicos foram também verificados em plantas assintomáticas, destacando a incidência de Hormonema viticola, o que confirma a necessidade de diagnóstico precoce desse complexo de doenças. Todos os endófitos utilizados no teste de antagonismo de inibição direta tiveram a capacidade de inibir o crescimento mecelial do patogénico, mostrando seu potencial de biocontrole. Este estudo permitiu um conhecimento mais aprofundado dos fungos presentes nas vinhas da região do Alentejo associadas às doenças do lenho, e contribuirá para mais estudos sobre a identificação molecular dos fungos, a fim de monitorizar o comportamento da doença nas vinhas.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Grapevine trunk diseases are responsible for reduced wine and table grape production world-wide. Trunk disease infections are caused by xylem-inhabiting pathogens which include species of Botryosphaeriaceae, Diatrypaceae, Hymenochaetales and Diaporthales, as well as Phaeomoniella chlamydospora and Phaeoacremonium spp. Winter pruning wounds are regarded as the main infection-sites for trunk disease pathogens. However, the role of sucker wounds as portals of trunk disease infections has been minimally investigated. Knowledge of the potential role of grapevine trunk pathogen infections that occur through sucker wounds is important for better wound protection strategies. The aim of this study was to determine the role of grapevine sucker wounds as portals of entry for trunk disease pathogens and to assess the use of Trichoderma spp. for sucker wound protection. The susceptibility of sucker wounds to different trunk disease pathogens was assessed from natural as well as artificial infections. In addition the duration of sucker wound susceptibility in the field was also ascertained. Sucker wounds were sampled from three wine and two table grape vineyards during 2011 and 2012 in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Thereafter, fungal isolations were made from 161 sucker wounds and the cultures were identified based on cultural and morphological characteristics as well as the internal transcribed spacer regions and 5.8S ribosomal RNA gene. Sixty-two percent of the wounds were naturally infected by at least one of the trunk pathogens. Phomopsis (Po.) viticola (46%; 18%), Diplodia (D.) seriata (30%; 9%) and Phaeomoniella (Ph.) chlamydospora (27%; 5%) were the most predominant trunk disease pathogens isolated from sucker wounds of field wine and table grape cultivars, respectively. Lower incidences of Phaeoacremonium aleophilum (18%), Eutypella sp. (3%), Cryptovalsa ampelina (2%), Diplodia sp. (1%) and Neofusicoccum australe (1%) were obtained, however, only from wine grapes. Sucker wounds on 1-year-old potted grapevine plants of Chardonnay cultivar were inoculated with spore suspensions of Eutypa lata, N. parvum, Pa. aleophilum, Ph. chlamydospora and Po. viticola in the glasshouse. After 4 months all the inoculated pathogens could be re-isolated at the following incidences: N. parvum (85%), Ph. chlamydospora (75%), Po. viticola (65%), Pa. aleophilum (55%) and E. lata (45%). Sucker wound susceptibility was further ascertained under field conditions on 12-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon vines by artificial inoculation of the same pathogen species. After 5 months three pathogens could be re-isolated at the following incidences: Po. viticola (65%), N. parvum (32.5%) and Ph. chlamydospora (7.5%). The duration of susceptibility of field sucker wounds to Ph. chlamydospora was assessed for a period of 4 weeks. The wounds remained susceptible for 4 weeks with a decline in susceptibility after one week. This study showed that sucker wounds are susceptible to the major trunk disease pathogens and thus could play an important role in grapevine trunk disease epidemiology. In the second part of this thesis a possible management strategy to prevent infections of sucker wounds was investigated. The use of Trichoderma (T.) harzianum against two trunk pathogens on sucker wounds was tested in the field. Additionally the sensitivity of T. harzianum and T. atroviride was tested in vitro against 16 fungicides that are used to control powdery mildew, downy mildew, Botrytis rot and Phomopsis cane and leaf spot. In October 2012, sucker wounds were made on 1-year-old wood of Cabernet Sauvignon and spray-treated with Eco-77® immediately after desuckering, and then inoculated with spore suspensions of either Ph. chlamydospora or Po. viticola after 24 hours. After 5 months, isolations were made from the sucker wounds to evaluate the efficacy of the Trichoderma treatment. Trichoderma harzianum reduced the incidence of Ph. chlamydospora by 66.65%. Although the incidence of Po. viticola was reduced by 15.37%, it was not significantly different from the control treatment. The inhibition of mycelial growth and conidial germination of T. harzianum and T. atroviride were screened against 16 fungicides. The fungicides were applied at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 times the recommended dosages. Systemic fungicides boscalid, metrafenone and trifloxystrobin, as well as contact fungicides quinoxyfen and meptyldinocap were least toxic to Trichoderma spp. isolates. For the conidial germination assay, boscalid, trifloxystrobin, penconazole and metrafenone (systemic) plus quinoxyfen and folpet (contact) were compatible with Trichoderma spp. These fungicides were regarded as being compatible with Trichoderma spp. isolates because they gave mean percentage inhibitions of less than 50% at all the tested dosages. Spiroxamine and pyrimethanil gave the highest mean percentage inhibitions for both mycelial inhibition and conidial germination. The findings of this study showed that T. harzianum can protect sucker wounds against Ph. chlamydospora in the field. Furthermore, some fungicides applied for the control of powdery mildew and Phomopsis cane and leaf spot can be alternatively or simultaneously applied with T. harzianum and T. atroviride, however, this will have to be verified with field trials.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Wingerd stamsiektes is wêreldwyd verantwoordelik vir verminderde wyn- en tafeldruif produksie. Stamsiektes word veroorsaak deur patogene wat in die xileem voorkom, insluitend verskeie spesies in die Botryosphaeriaceae, Diatrypaceae, Hymenochaetales en Diaporthales, asook Phaeomoniella chlamydospora en Phaeoacremonium spp. Winter snoeiwonde word beskou as die hoof bron van infeksies vir stamsiekte patogene. Die rol van suierwonde as poorte van infeksie vir stamsiektes is nog nie goed bestudeer nie. Kennis van die potensiële rol van wingerd stamsiekte patogeen infeksies wat deur suierwonde plaasvind is belangrik vir die formulasie van beter wondbeskerming strategieë. Die mikpunt van hierdie studie was om die rol van suierwonde as ingangsportale vir wingerd stamsiekte patogene te bepaal en om die gebruik van Trichoderma spp. vir suierwond beskerming te evalueer. Die vatbaarheid van suierwonde vir verskillende stamsiekte patogene is geëvalueer vanuit natuurlike, sowel as kunsmatige infeksies. Die duur van suierwond vatbaarheid in die veld is ook bepaal. Suierwonde is versamel vanuit drie wyn- en twee tafeldruif wingerde gedurende 2011 en 2012 in die Wes Kaap provinsie van Suid Afrika. Hierna is swam isolasies gemaak vanuit 161 suierwonde en die kulture is geïdentifiseer volgens kultuur en morfologiese kenmerke, sowel as die interne transkribeerde spasieerders en 5.8S ribosomale RNA geen. Twee-en-sestig persent van die wonde was geïnfekteer deur ten minste een van die stamsiekte patogene. Phomopsis (Po.) viticola (46%; 18%), Diplodia (D.) seriata (30%; 9%) en Phaeomoniella (Ph.) chlamydospora (27%; 5%) was die mees algemene stamsiekte patogene wat, respektiewelik, vanuit die wyn- en tafeldruif kultivars verky is. Laer hoeveelhede Phaeoacremonium aleophilum (18%), Eutypella sp. (3%), Cryptovalsa ampelina (2%), Diplodia sp. (1%) en Neofusicoccum australe (1%) is verkry, en slegs vanaf wyndruiwe. Suierwonde op 1-jaar oue Chardonnay wingerdplante in potte is in die glashuis geïnokuleer met spoorsuspensies van Eutypa lata, N. parvum, Pa. aleophilum, Ph. chlamydospora en Po. viticola. Na 4 maande kon al die geïnokuleerde patogene her-isoleer word teen die volgende hoeveelhede: N. parvum (85%), Ph. chlamydospora (75%), Po. viticola (65%), Pa. aleophilum (55%) en E. lata (45%). Suierwond vatbaarheid is verder geëvalueer onder veld kondisies op 12-jaar oue Cabernet Sauvignon plante deur kunsmatige inokulasie van die selfde patogeen spesies. Na 5 maande kon drie patogene her-isoleer word teen die volgende hoeveelhede: Po. viticola (65%), N. parvum (32.5%) en Ph. chlamydospora (7.5%). Die duur van vatbaarheid van suierwonde teen Ph. chlamydospora in die veld is geevalueer oor ‘n periode van 4 weke. Die wonde het vatbaar gebly vir 4 weke met ‘n afname in vatbaarheid na ‘n week. Hierdie studie demonstreer dat suierwonde vatbaar is vir die hoof wingerd stamsiektes en dus ‘n belangrike rol in die epidemiologie van wingerd stamsiektes kan speel. In die tweede deel van hierdie tesis is ‘n moontlike bestuurs-strategie ondersoek om infeksie van suierwonde te verhoed. Die gebruik van Trichoderma (T.) harzianum teen twee stampatogene op suierwonde is getoets in die veld. Verder is die in vitro sensitiwiteit van T. harzianum en T. atroviride getoets teen 16 fungisiedes wat gebruik word in die beheer van poeieragtige meeldou, donsskimmel, Botrytis vrot en Phomopsis streepvlek. Gedurende Oktober 2012 is suierwonde gemaak op 1-jaar oue hout van Cabernet Sauvignon en onmiddelik behandel met Eco-77® na suiering. Wonde is dan geïnokuleer met spoorsuspensies van óf Ph. chlamydospora óf Po. viticola na 24 uur. Na 5 maande is isolasies gemaak vanaf suierwonde om die doeltreffendheid van van die Trichoderma behandeling te evalueer. Trichoderma harzianum het die voorkoms van Ph. chlamydospora met 66.65% verminder. Alhoewel die voorkoms van Po. viticola verminder is met 15.37%, was dit nie ‘n beduidende verskil in vergelyking met die kontrole behandeling nie. Die inhibisie van miselium groei en konidia ontkieming van T. harzianum en T. atroviride is getoets teen 16 fungisiedes. Die fungisiedes is aangewend teen 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1 en 2 keer die aanbevole dosisse. Sistemiese fungisiedes boscalid, metrafenone en trifloxystrobin, sowel as kontak fungisiedes quinoxyfen en meptyldinocap was die minste toksies teen Trichoderma spp. Gedurende die konidia ontkiemingstoets was boscalid, trifloxystrobin, penconazole en metrafenone (sistemies) en quinoxyfen en folpet (kontak) versoenbaar met Trichoderma spp. Die fungisiedes is beskou as bruikbaar met Trichoderma spp. isolate omdat hulle gemiddelde persentasie inhibisies van minder as 50% teen al die getoetste dosisse gelewer het. Spiroxamine en pyrimethanil het die hoogste gemiddelde persentasie inhibisie gelewer vir beide die miselium inhibisie en konidia ontkieming. Die bevindings van hierdie studie het gewys dat T. harzianum suierwonde kan beskerm teen Ph. chlamydospora in die veld. Verder sou sommige fungisiedes wat aangewend word vir die bestuur van poeieragtige meeldou en streepvlek moontlik alternatiewelik of gelyktydig met T. harzianum en T. atroviride aangewend word, alhowel dit met veldproewe bevestig moet word.

Thesis (MScAgric)--University of Stellenbosch, 2006.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, Eutypa lata, Phomopsis, Phaeoacremonium, and Botryosphaeria spp. are important trunk disease pathogens that cause premature decline and dieback of grapevine. Previous research has focused primarily on wine grapes and the incidence and symptomatology of these pathogens on table grapes were largely unknown. A survey was therefore conducted to determine the status and distribution of these pathogens and associated symptoms in climatically diverse table grape growing regions. Fifteen farms were identified in the winter rainfall (De Doorns, Paarl and Trawal) and summer rainfall (Upington and Groblersdal) areas. Samples were taken in July and August 2004 from Dan-ben-Hannah vineyards that were 8 years and older. Distal ends of arms were removed from 20 randomly selected plants in each vineyard. These sections were dissected and isolations were made from each of the various symptom types observed: brown or black vascular streaking, brown internal necrosis, wedge-shaped necrosis, watery necrosis, esca-like brown and yellow soft wood rot, as well as asymptomatic wood. Fungal isolates were identified using molecular and morphological techniques. Pa. chlamydospora was most frequently isolated (46.0%), followed by Phaeoacremonium aleophilum (10.0%), Phomopsis viticola (3.0%), Botryosphaeria obtusa (3.0%), B. rhodina (2.2%), B. parva (2.0%), Fusicoccum vitifusiforme (0.6%), B. australis, B. dothidea and an undescribed Diplodia sp. (0.2% each), while E. lata was not found. Most of these pathogens were isolated from a variety of symptom types, indicating that disease diagnosis can not be based on symptomatology alone. Pa. chlamydospora was isolated from all areas sampled, although most frequently from the winter rainfall region. Pm. aleophilum was found predominantly in Paarl, while P. viticola only occurred in this area. Although B. obtusa was not isolated from samples taken in De Doorns and Groblersdal, it was the most commonly isolated Botryosphaeria sp., being isolated from Upington, Paarl and Trawal. B. rhodina occurred only in Groblersdal and B. parva in Paarl, Trawal and Groblersdal, while B. australis was isolated from Paarl only. The rest of the isolates (33%) consisted of sterile cultures, Exochalara, Cephalosporium, Wangiella, Scytalidium, Penicillium spp. and two unidentified basidiomycetes, which were isolated from five samples with yellow esca-like symptoms from the Paarl area. These findings clearly illustrate that grapevine trunk diseases are caused by a complex of fungal pathogens, which has serious implications for disease diagnosis and management. Protection of wounds against infection by any of these trunk disease pathogens is the most efficient and cost-effective means to prevent grapevine trunk diseases. However, previous research on the effectiveness of chemical pruning wound protectants has mostly focused on the control of Eutypa dieback only. Fungicide sensitivity studies have been conducted for Pa. chlamydospora, P. viticola and Eutypa lata, but no such studies have been conducted for the pathogenic Botryosphaeria species from grapevine in South Africa. Ten fungicides were therefore tested in vitro for their efficacy on mycelial inhibition of the four most common and/or pathogenic Botryosphaeria species in South Africa, B. australis, B. obtusa, B. parva and B. rhodina. Iprodione, pyrimethanil, copper ammonium acetate, kresoxim-methyl and boscalid were ineffective in inhibiting the mycelial growth at the highest concentration tested (5 μg/ml; 20 μg/ml for copper ammonium acetate). Benomyl, tebuconazole, prochloraz manganese chloride and flusilazole were the most effective fungicides with EC50 values for the different species ranging from 0.36-0.55, 0.07-0.17, 0.07-1.15 and 0.04-0.36 μg/ml, respectively. These fungicides, except prochloraz manganese chloride, are registered on grapes in South Africa and were also reported to be effective against Pa. chlamydospora, P. viticola and E. lata. Results from bioassays on 1-year-old Chenin Blanc grapevine shoots indicated that benomyl, tebuconazole and prochloraz manganese chloride were most effective in limiting lesion length in pruning wounds that were inoculated with the Botryosphaeria spp after fungicide treatment. The bioassay findings were, however, inconclusive due to low and varied re-isolation data of the inoculated lesions. Benomyl, tebuconazole, prochloraz manganese chloride and flusilazole can nonetheless be identified as fungicides to be evaluated as pruning wound protectants in additional bioassays and vineyard trials against Botryosphaeria spp. as well as the other grapevine trunk disease pathogens.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, Eutypa lata, Phomopsis, Phaeoacremonium, en Botryosphaeria spesies is die mees belangrikste stamsiekte patogene wat agteruitgang en vroeë terugsterwing van wingerd veroorsaak. Voorafgaande navorsing het hoofsaaklik gefokus op wyndruiwe en die voorkoms en simptomatologie van hierdie patogene op tafeldruiwe is dus grootliks onbekend. ‘n Opname is gevolglik gedoen in verskillende klimaaatsareas waar tafeldruiwe verbou word om die voorkoms en verspreiding, asook die simptome geassosieer met hierdie patogene, te bepaal. Vyftien plase is geïdentifiseer in die winter- (De Doorns, Paarl en Trawal) en somer-reënval (Upington en Groblersdal) streke. Wingerde (8 jaar en ouer) met die kultivar Dan-ben-Hannah is gekies vir opname en monsters is gedurende Julie en Augustus 2004 geneem. Die distale deel van ‘n arm is verwyder vanaf 20 lukraak gekose plante in elke wingerd. Hierdie dele is ontleed en isolasies is gemaak vanuit elke simptoomtipe wat beskryf is, naamlik bruin en swart vaskulêre verkleuring, bruin interne nekrose, wig-vormige nekrose, waterige nekrose, esca-geassosieerde bruin en geel sagte houtverrotting en asimptomatiese hout. Identifikasie van die swamagtige isolate is gedoen op grond van morfologiese eienskappe en molekulêre tegnieke. Pa. chlamydospora is die meeste geïsoleer (46.0%), gevolg deur Phaeoacremonium aleophilum (10.0%), Phomopsis viticola (3.0%), Botryosphaeria obtusa (3.0%), B. rhodina (2.2%), B. parva (2.0%), Fusicoccum vitifusiforme (0.6%), B. australis, B. dothidea en ‘n onbeskryfde Diplodia sp. (0.2% elk), terwyl E. lata nie geïsoleer is nie. Hierdie patogene is elk geïsoleer vanuit ‘n verskeidenheid simptoomtipes, wat daarop dui dat siektediagnose nie alleenlik op simptomatologie gebaseer kan word nie. Pa. chlamydospora is geïsoleer vanuit al die gebiede, alhoewel die patogeen opmerklik meer voorgekom het in die winter-reënval area. Pm. aleophilum het hoofsaaklik voorgekom in Paarl, terwyl P. viticola slegs in hierdie area voorgekom het. Alhoewel B. obtusa nie voorgekom het in die De Doorns en Groblersdal areas nie, was dit die mees algemeen geïsoleerde Botryosphaeria sp. en het in Upington, Paarl en Trawal voorgekom. B. rhodina het slegs in Groblersdal voorgekom, B. parva in Paarl, Groblersdal en Trawal en B. australis het slegs in Paarl voorgekom. Die res van die isolate (33%) het bestaan uit steriele kulture, Exochalara, Cephalosporium, Wangiella, Scytalidium, en Penicillium spesies asook twee onbekende basidiomycete isolate, geïsoleer vanuit vyf monsters met geel eska-geassosieerde simptome vanuit die Paarl area. Hierdie resultate illustreer dus die feit dat wingerdstamsiektes deur ‘n kompleks van swampatogene veroorsaak word, wat belangrike implikasies het vir die bestuur en diagnose van hierdie siektes. Wondbeskerming teen infeksie van enige van hierdie stamsiekte patogene is die mees doeltreffende en koste-effektiewe manier om wingerdstamsiektes te voorkom. Vorige navorsing aangaande die effektiwiteit van chemiese wondbeskermingsmiddels het egter slegs gefokus op die beheer van Eutypa terugsterwing. In vitro swamdoder sensitiwiteitstoetse is gedoen vir Pa. chlamydospora, P. viticola en Eutypa lata, maar geen studies is al gedoen ten opsigte van die patogeniese Botryosphaeria spesies op wingerd in Suid-Afrika nie. Tien swamdoders is dus getoets vir inhibisie van in vitro miseliumgroei van die vier mees algemene en/of patogeniese Botryosphaeria spesies wat in Suid-Afrika voorkom, naamlik B. australis, B. obtusa, B. parva en B. rhodina. Iprodione, pyrimethanil, koper ammonium asetaat, kresoxim-metiel en boscalid was oneffektief by die hoogste konsentrasies getoets (5 μg/ml; 20 μg/ml vir koper ammonium asetaat). Benomyl, tebuconasool, prochloraz mangaan chloried en flusilasool was die mees effektiewe swamdoders met EC50 waardes tussen 0.36-0.55, 0.07-0.17, 0.07-1.15 en 0.04-0.36 μg/ml, onderskeidelik vir die verskillende spesies. Hierdie fungisiedes, behalwe prochloraz mangaan chloried, is geregistreer op druiwe in Suid-Afrika en is ook effektief gevind teenoor Pa. chlamydospora, P. viticola en E. lata. Resultate van biotoetse op 1-jaar-oue Chenin Blanc wingerd lote het getoon dat benomyl, tebuconasool en prochloraz mangaan chloried die effektiefste was om die lengte van letsels in snoeiwonde, geinokuleer met Botryosphaeria spesies na die aanwending van swamdoder behandelings, te verminder. Die bevindinge was egter onbeslis as gevolg van die lae en variërende her-isolerings data. Benomyl, tebuconasool, prochloraz mangaan chloried en flusilasool kan egter geïdentifiseer word as swamdoders wat verder geevalueer kan word as snoeiwond beskermingsmiddels teen Botryosphaeria spesies asook ander wingerd stamsiekte patogene in verdere biotoetse en wingerdproewe.

La Vite ultracentenaria del Fantini, situata ai piedi della collina del podere Terzanello di Sotto a Pianoro, è una delle viti più vecchie dell’Appenino Tosco-Emiliano, scampata dall’epidemia di filossera dell’800. La Vite, fotografata per la prima volta nel 1956 da Luigi Fantini, fu ritrovata nel 1990 da Stefano Galli, ma in condizioni decisamente diverse rispetto a quelle di quarant’anni prima. La Vite mostrava una forte perdita di vigoria, con il tronco in buona parte marcito e disseccamenti fogliari e dei tralci. Galli cercò negli anni di smuovere interesse nei confronti della vite su vari fronti e nel 2019 decise di contattare i laboratori di Patologia vegetale dell’Università di Bologna per un’analisi più approfondita sulle possibili patologie presenti sulla Vite. A tale scopo, il seguente progetto di tesi si è incentrato sull’analisi morfologica e molecolare dei diversi patogeni isolati dal materiale prelevato dalla Vite in seguito a diversi isolamenti effettuati nel 2019/2020 per comprendere l’eziologia delle diverse malattie presenti e trovare possibili soluzioni per il miglioramento della salute della stessa. Si è proceduto all’identificazione morfologica e molecolare delle colonie fungine e dei virus presenti nei tessuti vegetali analizzati; si è valutata l’efficacia di diversi prodotti a basso contenuto cuprico e con estratti vegetali in vitro al fine di poter scegliere il prodotto da utilizzare per il successivo trattamento in endoterapia. I funghi d’interesse, isolati su PDA e sequenziati (gene ITS), sono risultati essere Diplodia mutila, Diplodia seriata, Fomitiporia mediterranea e Kalmusia variispora, tutte specie responsabili delle malattie del legno e del Mal dell’esca della vite, mentre non si è riscontrata la presenza di alcun virus. Durante la ripresa vegetativa della Vite, in seguito del trattamento in endoterapia effettuato con due diversi prodotti (RESOLV 5 e ES PLUS), sarà possibile comprendere meglio il decorso della patologia.

As doenças do lenho são das mais importantes doenças associadas à videira. Este trabalho teve como objetivo principal estudar as diferenças da diversidade dos fungos endofíticos e patogénicos e a suscetibilidade de duas cultivares distintas: Trincadeira e Aragonez, em dois locais (A e B). Situadas na Região do Alentejo todas testadas em material lenhoso. Os fungos endofíticos mais encontrados nas amostras de planta foi o pertencente ao género Alternaria, tanto para os dois locais como para as duas cultivares. Nos fungos patogénicos, os mais encontrados nas amostras das plantas foram os fungos das espécies Diplodia seriata, Botrytis cinerea e Rhizopus spp. Verificou-se que a cultivar Aragonez, no local A é menos suscetível às doenças do lenho, ao contrário do que acontece no local B, neste local a cultivar menos suscetível às doenças do lenho é a Trincadeira. As espécies Botryosphaeria dothidea e Diplodia seriata são causadores das doenças do lenho; Evaluation of endophytic fungal communities in two grapevine cultivars from Alentejo Region showing different susceptibility to trunk diseases Abstract: Trunk diseases is one of the most important diseases of the grapevine. The main objective of this work was to study the differences in the diversity of endophytic and pathogenic fungi and the susceptibility of two cultivars: Trincadeira and Aragonez in two sites (A and B) located in Alentejo Region and all tested in woody material. The most endophytic fungi found in the plant samples was, the one belonging to the genus Alternaria, for both sites and cultivars. For pathogenic fungi, the most found in the plant samples were the species Diplodia seriata, Botrytis cinerea and Rhizopus spp. It was also found, that the cultivar Aragonez in the organic production mode is less susceptible to trunk diseases, unlike what happens in the conventional production mode. In this mode the cultivar Trincadeira is less susceptible to these diseases. Wood diseases are caused by the species: Botryosphaeria dothidea and Diplodia seriata.

O trabalho teve como objetivo testar o potencial antagonista de fungos presentes em videiras do Alentejo, contra fungos patogénicos responsáveis por doenças do lenho. Foram identificados 14 isolados provenientes de ramos de videiras aparentemente saudáveis, 12 dos quais pertencentes aos géneros Alternaria, Epicoccum e Cladosporium, sendo considerados fungos endofíticos, dos quais foi testada a capacidade antagonista, e dois identificados como Botryosphaeria dothidea e Phomopsis viticola, fungos patogénicos responsáveis por doenças do lenho. Todos os isolados apresentaram capacidade antagonista contra B. dothidea nos três testes realizados. No caso de P. viticola todos os fungos apresentaram capacidade antagonista no teste de antagonismo direto e compostos voláteis, enquanto que no teste de compostos não voláteis apenas um não apresentou capacidade antagonista. Os resultados apresentados mostram o potencial antagonista dos fungos endofíticos como agentes de luta biológica; ABSTRACT: Antagonistic activity of endophytic fungi of Vitis vinifera L. against the most important grapevine trunk diseases in Alentejo The objective of this work was to test the potential antagonism of fungi present in Alentejo vines against pathogenic fungi responsible for trunk diseases. 14 isolates from apparently healthy grapevines were identified, 12 were considered endophytic fungi belonging to the genera Alternaria, Epicoccum and Cladosporium, and two were identified as Botryosphaeria dothidea and Phomopsis viticola, pathogenic fungi responsible for trunk diseases. All the isolates presented antagonistic capacity against to B. dothidea, in the direct antagonism test, the volatile compounds test and the non-volatile compounds test. In the case of P. viticola all fungi in the test of direct antagonism and volatile compounds presented antagonistic capacity, whereas in the test of non-volatile compounds only one did not present antagonistic capacity. The results presented show the potential antagonism of endophytic fungi as biological control agents.

Les maladies fongiques du bois de la vigne que sont le syndrome de l'esca, le Black Dead Arm (BDA) et l'Eutypiose sont particulièrement dommageables à la profession vitivinicole, et sont actuellement en progression. Le temps d'incubation nécessaire à l'expression de ces maladies au champ complique l'évaluation de solutions préventives adaptées en condition contrôlée ainsi qu'en condition de terrain. Ces travaux de thèse ont eu pour objectifs la conception et la validation de tests PCR quantitatifs en temps réel (RtqPCR), permettant la détection et la quantification in planta de cinq champignons associés aux maladies de dépérissement de la vigne, Phaeomoniella chlamydospora et Phaeoacremonium aleophilum (esca), Diplodia seriata et Neofusicoccum parvum (BDA), et Eutypa lata (Eutypiose). Le développement de tests multiplexes a ensuite été entrepris et ces derniers ont été évalués pour la détection de quatre champignons (2 associés à esca et 2 au BDA) dans le bois de jeunes plants issus de pépinière viticole. Enfin, l'étude de l'interaction in planta de deux champignons associés au syndrome de l'esca de la vigne (P.chlamydospora et P.aleophilum) a été réalisée par RT-qPCR, et complétée par la caractérisation histologique de la réponse de la plante à la blessure dans le bois, en inoculation individuelle et en co-inoculation
Grapevine trunk diseases, among which esca's syndrome, Black Dead Arm (BDA) and Eutypiosis, represent a real threat for grape and wine industry. Incubation time required before symptoms externalization in field complicates the evaluation of the efficacy of preventive solution in control and field conditions. These thesis's works focused on the design and the validation of Real Time quantitative PCR assays (RT-qPCR), in order to detect and quantify in vine plant five fungi associated with grapevine trunk disease, Phaeomoniella chlamydospora et Phaeoacremonium aleophilum (esca), Diplodia seriata et Neofusicoccum parvum (BDA), et Eutypa lata (Eutypiosis). The development of multiplex assays was undertaken and these last were evaluated in order to detect four fungi (esca and BDA) in wood sample from young plants in vine nursery. Finally, a study of the interaction between two fungi associated with esca's syndrome has been determined in planta through RT-qPCR, and completed by a histological analysis of plant response to injury of woody tissues

Cette thèse aborde le potentiel de la télédétection en tant qu'outil pour la détection automatique de la Flavescence dorée (FD) de la vigne. L'approche repose sur l'analyse des variables (bandes spectrales, indices de végétation et paramètres biophysiques) calculables à partir des images multispectrales à très haute résolution (10 cm) acquises par drone pendant la période d'expression maximal des symptômes. L'analyse de la performance de discrimination des variables est réalisée à partir d'une méthode supervisée basée sur la courbe ROC. Les zones d'entrainement et de validation utilisées dans cette étude ont été acquises sur 14 parcelles situés dans le sud de la France. La performance des variables a été testée sur trois échelles d'analyse (par parcelle, par cépage et par couleur) et pour deux niveaux d'analyse. Le premier niveau d'analyse repose sur le potentiel des variables utilisées dans la détection des zones symptomatiques de la Flavescence dorée des zones asymptomatiques. Le deuxième niveau d'analyse consiste à tester la performance des variables dans la discrimination spécifique la Flavescence dorée (cépages noirs) en faisant une distinction avec les maladies du bois. À l'issue de ces expériences, dans un point de vue méthodologique les résultats ont permis de mettre en évidence (1) une plus faible performance de discrimination pour la discrimination des zones symptomatiques de FD des zones symptomatiques des maladies du bois plus particulièrement à l'échelle par couleur ; (2) la présence des pixels mixtes mal classés plus particulièrement dans les bords des rangs de vigne et (3) une faible discrimination des zones symptomatiques (FD ou MB) avec une proportion du feuillage symptomatique faible (niveau d'infection). Dans un point de vue thématique les résultats obtenus ont mis en évidence les différences dans l'intensité de la coloration anormale des feuilles atteintes de Flavescence dorée en fonction de l'année et leur lien avec la teneur en chlorophylles et anthocyanes des feuilles. Les perspectives ouvertes par ces travaux concernent la création d'un indice spécifique à la Flavescence dorée en fonction de la couleur du cépage (noir ou blanc) ou l'intensité dans la coloration des feuilles (faible ou forte) identifiés à partir des données hyperspectrales et l'amélioration du masquage des pixels mixtes à partir des algorithmes complexes qui prennent en compte la répartition spatiale des pixels dans le feuillage de vigne
This work investigates the potential of remote sensing as a tool for the automatic detection of Flavescence dorée (FD) grapevine disease. The approach is based on the analysis of variables (spectral bands, vegetation indices, and biophysical parameters) computed from high resolution (10 cm) multispectral images and acquired by Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) during the period of maximum expression of symptom. The analysis of the variables discrimination performance is evaluated by a supervised method based on the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (ROC curve). The training and validation areas used in this study were acquired from 14 vineyards located in southern France. The performance of the variables was tested on three different scales of analysis (one by plot, by cultivar and by berry color). Two levels of analysis have been implemented. The first level involves the potential of variables to discriminate Flavescence dorée symptomatic vines areas from asymptomatic ones. The second level of analysis is related to test the performance of the variables for the specific discrimination of Flavescence dorée vines (for the red cultivars) and the discrimination from Grapevine Trunk Diseases (GTD). The results obtained showed (1) a lower discrimination performance for discrimination of FD symptomatic vines areas from GTD symptomatic ones, more pronounced on the color level; (2) the presence of misclassified mixed pixels especially in the edges of the rows of vines and (3) a low discrimination of symptomatic vines areas (FD or MB) with a low proportion of symptomatic foliage (level of infection). From a thematic point of view, the results obtained showed the differences in the intensity of leaf discoloration affected by Flavescence dorée by year and their link with the chlorophylls and anthocyanins content of the leaves. Future prospects for this work concern the creation of a specific Flavescence dorée index depending on the color of the cultivars (red or white) and the intensity of leaf discoloration (attenuated or marked), identified from the hyperspectral data and improving the masking of mixed pixels from complex algorithms that consider the spatial distribution of pixels in the vine foliage

Ce travail a consisté en l'étude l'application du phosphate de calcium comme système de transporteur (" drug delivery ") pour la protection de la vigne (Vitis vinifera L.). Ce biomatériau a été étudié avec succès dans le domaine médical, de la fonctionnalité du phosphate de calcium avec des molécules anticancéreuses, à la mise au point d'un dentifrice innovant. Des essais préliminaires dans le contrôle des maladies fongiques de la vigne ont révélé des résultats prometteurs.Dans ce contexte, l'hydroxyapatite inorganique et biomimétique a été étudié en tant que système transporteur potentiel de substances bioactives autorisées en agriculture biologique pour la protection des plantes. À travers une approche multidisciplinaire, l'objectif de l'étude était d'évaluer l'efficacité de l'hydroxyapatite dans l'amélioration de l'activité biologique des composés de cuivre(II) pour lutter contre des maladies fongiques telles que le mildiou et les maladies du bois. Cette étude a pour ambition de contribuer à l'optimisation de la distribution et de la persistance des substances bioactives dans les tissus végétaux, y compris vasculaires, où des pathogènes nocifs peuvent se développer ainsi qu'à la réduction des quantités de fongicides.Cette recherche a ainsi permis de (i) comprendre l'interaction entre le système transporteur, la substance fonctionnelle et les tissus de la vigne ; (ii) démontrer le mécanisme sur lequel l'efficacité supérieure de la substance fonctionnelle est basé ; (iii) recueillir de nouvelles informations sur les mécanismes impliqués dans l'expression des symptômes des maladies du bois en étudiant les réactions de défense des plantes induites par les traitements
The research investigates the application of biomimetic calcium phosphate as innovative delivery system for grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) protection purposes. This smart material was successfully studied in the biomedical field, from the functionalization of biomimetic calcium phosphate with anti-cancer molecules for localized releases, to the development of an innovative toothpaste for oral hygiene. Preliminary assays to implement the control of the grapevine fungal diseases, have revealed promising results. In this framework, the biomimetic inorganic hydroxyapatite was investigated as potential delivery system of bioactive substances allowed in organic agriculture for plant protection.Through a multidisciplinary approach, the study was aimed to evaluate the efficiency of hydroxyapatite in enhancing the biological activity of copper(II) compounds, on the control of relevant common diseases, like downy mildew, and complex fungal diseases, such as the grapevine trunk diseases. This aim is related to further ambitious goals: the significant reduction of the fungicides amounts applied in plant protection and the optimization of the distribution and persistence of the bioactive substances in the plant tissues, including the vascular ones, where harmful pathogens can develop. Overall, the experimental activities allowed: (i) to understand the interaction between delivery system, functional substance and grapevine tissues; (ii) to demonstrate the mechanism on which the higher efficacy of the functional substance is based; (iii) to collect new information on the mechanisms involved in the symptoms expression by studying the plant defense reactions induced by the treatments

La vigne est une culture fruitière largement cultivée, qui abrite naturellement un microbiome complexe, i.e. colonisée par des microorganismes neutres, phytopathogènes ou bénéfiques. Parmi les phytopathogènes, ceux associés aux maladies du bois (MDB) induisent des maladies très destructrices, et les traitements disponibles pour les contrôler ont actuellement une efficacité partielle. Les microorganismes bénéfiques (BCA) peuvent jouer un rôle spécifique dans la protection des plantes contre les phytopathogènes et le défi actuel est de comprendre comment ces microorganismes interagissent avec les plantes et leur potentiel biotechnologique pour le développement de stratégies innovantes. Dans ce contexte, l'objectif de cette étude était d'abord de caractériser les communautés microbiennes associées à la vigne tout au long de son cycle végétatif et, d'autre part, de mieux comprendre les interactions entre la vigne- BCA – MDB. Pour cela, deux potentiels BCA isolés de la vigne ont été testés contre des espèces de Botryosphaeriaceae et leur potentiel de colonisation, l'induction de mécanismes de défense dans la vigne, en présence ou non de D. seriata (F98.1), ont été caractériser ainsi que l’analyse de leur génome.Les résultats ont montré que le microbiome de la vigne était très dynamique au cours de son cycle végétatif. Comme prévu, la biodiversité microbienne était plus élevée dans les sols, et les communautés variaient entre le sol et les feuilles. Une proportion de communautés microbiennes était similaire dans les sols et les feuilles, ce qui suggère l'existence d'un microbiome commun. Plusieurs isolats ont été obtenus à partir de vignes qui appartenaient principalement aux genres Bacillus, Streptomyces et Aureobasidium. Certains d'entre eux ont considérablement diminué la croissance du mycélium de plusieurs espèces de Botryosphaeriaceae, telles que Streptomyces sp. Fito_S127B et A. pullulans Fito_F278 qui ont été sélectionnés comme BCA. Ces souches ont montré qu'elles produisaient une gamme élevée d'enzymes extracellulaires importantes pour le biocontrôle et ont pu coloniser avec succès la vigne : Fito_S127B était une épiphyte du système racinaire de la vigne, tandis que Fito_F278 pouvait coloniser l’ensemble de la plante, des racines aux feuilles. L'inoculation artificielle des tiges avec D. seriata F98.1 a montré que la longueur des nécroses causées par l'agent pathogène a été significativement réduite par Fito_S127B, contrairement à Fito_F278 qui était moins efficace. De plus, ces BCAs sont capables d’activer certaines réponses de défense de la vigne, permettant une réponse plus rapide et plus forte de la plante contre le pathogène. L'analyse du génome a également montré que ces souches sont une source des composés bioactifs, importants pour le contrôle biologique.Dans l'ensemble, cette étude a apporté de nouvelles connaissances sur la structure des communautés microbiennes de la vigne et leurs interactions. De plus, elle a confirmé que la vigne est une source naturelle de microorganismes prometteurs pour une gestion biologique des MDB et qu'ils peuvent promouvoir les réponses de défense des plantes. Ainsi, ces résultats fournissent non seulement une meilleure compréhension des interactions entre la vigne et les BCAs-MDB, mais aussi une forte contribution à la future stratégie de gestion des MDB.Mots-clés : microbiome de la vigne, MDB, D. seriata, microorganismes bénéfiques, Fito_S127B, Fito_F278, colonisation de la vigne, mécanismes de défense, protection
Vitis vinifera L. is a widely cultivated fruit crop, that naturally harbours a complex microbial ecosystem or plant microbiome, such as neutral, phytopathogenic or beneficial microorganisms. Among phytopathogens, those implied in Grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs) are responsible for the most destructive diseases worldwide, and currently no highly effective treatments are available. Beneficial microorganisms (BCAs) may play specific roles on plant protection against phytopathogens though, the present challenge is to understand how such microorganisms interact with plant and their biotechnological potential for development of innovation strategies. In this context, the aim of this study was firstly to unveil the microbial communities associated with grapevine along its growth cycle and, secondly, to better understand the grapevine – BCAs – GTDs interactions. For this, two potential BCAs isolated from grapevine were tested against Botryosphaeriaceae species and then deep characterized, namely for their colonisation potential, induction of defence mechanisms in grapevine, in the presence or not of D. seriata (F98.1) and their genome analysis. Results showed that grapevine microbiome was very dynamic along the growth cycle. As expected, the microbial biodiversity was higher in soils, and these microbial communities differed significantly from those of leaves. A proportion of microbial communities was shared within soils and leaves, suggesting the existence of a core microbiome. Several isolates were then obtained from grapevine which mostly belonged to Bacillus, Streptomyces and Aureobasidium genera. Some of them significantly decreased in vitro the mycelium growth of several Botryosphaeriaceae species, such as Streptomyces sp. Fito_S127B and A. pullulans Fito_F278 which were highly effective and thus selected as potential BCAs. These strains showed to produce a high range of extracellular enzymes with biocontrol value, and were able to successfully colonize grapevine: Fito_S127B was an epiphyte from rhizosphere, while Fito_F278 colonised grapevine from roots to leaves. The artificial inoculation of green stems with D. seriata F98.1 on cutting plants showed that the necrotic lesions length caused by the pathogen was significantly reduced by Fito_S127B, in contrast to Fito_F278 which was less effective. Furthermore, these BCAs activated some specific defence responses of grapevine, allowing a more rapid and solid response of plant against the pathogen. The genome analysis also showed that these BCAs strains are an important source of bioactive compounds of biocontrol value. Overall, this study brought new insights on the structure of microbial communities of grapevine and their interactions. Moreover, highlighted that grapevine is a natural source of microorganisms with a promising biocontrol against GTDs, and that they can promote plant defense responses. Thus, these findings provide not only a better understand of the grapevine- BCAs- GTDs interactions but also a strong contribution to future GTDs management strategy. Key-words: Grapevine microbiome, GTDs, D. seriata, beneficial microorganisms, Fito_S127B, Fito_F278, grapevine colonisation, plant defence mechanisms, grapevine protection

Vitis vinifera L. représente l’une des cultures les plus répandues dans les pays producteurs de vin, laquelle est soumise à de nombreuses contraintes environnementales pouvant favoriser l’émergence des maladies de dépérissement du bois (MDB). La famille des Botryosphaeriaceae est responsable du Botryosphaeria dieback, provoquant des chancres et des nécroses qui conduisent à une dépréciation de la qualité du vin, voire à la mort des ceps. Les méthodes de lutte sont peu efficaces. Sept espèces sont retrouvées dans le vignoble français dont B. dothidea, D. intermedia, D. mutila, D. seriata, Do. viticola, N. parvum et L. viticola. Nous avons étudié différents traits d’histoire de vie de ces agents pathogènes : (i) leur agressivité in planta, (ii) leur adaptation à des contraintes environnementales (e.g. température, fongicides), (iii) la présence de mycovirus, pour acquérir des connaissances sur leur pouvoir adaptatif face aux contraintes environnementales et expliquer la variabilité de leur agressivité. En complément, l’évaluation de la sensibilité de cultivars de Vitis face à une infection par N. parvum et D. seriata a été réalisée, et le potentiel de défenses de différents cépages (Ugni Blanc, Cabernet-Sauvignon et Merlot) a été étudié. L’ensemble des travaux menés ont permis de révéler des espèces très agressives telles que N. parvum et L. viticola par rapport à D. seriata, lors d’inoculations en serre sur des boutures. Les températures optimales de croissance déterminées montrent que certaines espèces (ex. Lasidiplodia spp.) sont mieux adaptées à des températures élevées (33°C). Par ailleurs, la sensibilité de 65 souches et génotypes a été testée pour 9 fongicides avec des modes d’action différents (inhibiteurs de la respiration mitochondriale, de la biosynthèse des stérols, du cytosquelette, multi-sites, etc.). De nombreuses espèces sont peu ou pas sensibles à certains de ces fongicides et des souches résistantes ont été trouvées avec un facteur de résistance pouvant atteindre plus de 1000. D’autre part, la détection de mycovirus au sein des 65 isolats a permis d’identifier la présence de 6 mycovirus, dont Neofusicoccum luteum mitovirus 1 et Neofusicoccum luteum fusavirus 1. L’évaluation du potentiel de défense des trois cultivars Vitis face à une infection par N. parvum et D. seriata a montré des réponses différentes entre cépages et en fonction de l’agent pathogène. In fine, des analyses croisant les différents traits d’histoire de vie et les interactions plante-pathogènes ont été faites, et l’ensemble des résultats nous a fourni de nouvelles pistes d’étude pour lutter contre ces agents pathogènes
Vitis vinifera L. is largely cultivated in countries producing wine but an increase in grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs) have been observed due to the attack of several fungal pathogens including those belonging to the Botryosphaeriaceae family (Botryosphaeria dieback). Seven species were isolated in the French vineyards B. dothidea, D. intermedia, D. mutila, D. seriata, Do. viticola, N. parvum and L. viticola. Nowadays, no efficient products are available to control these diseases. Studying, different life traits of 65 strains of different genotypes of the Botryosphaeriaceae’s family, known to have members displaying different aggressiveness, would lead to a better understanding of these wood pathogens. Their in planta aggressiveness, their adaptation towards environmental pressures (temperature, fungicides), and the detection of mycoviruses were carried out. In order to have a better comprehension of the interaction within the plant, the expression analysis of genes involved in the plant defense were assayed upon 3 cultivars (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Ugni-Blanc) but also on two species (N. parvum and D. seriata). L. viticola, and N. parvum, were shown to be more aggressive than D. seriata and. L. viticola is more adapted to higher temperature (33°C). Moreover, the strains tested with 9 different fungicides (mitochondrial respiratory, sterol biosynthesis, cytoskeleton or multisite inhibitors, etc.) showed lower sensitivity within some species, (with a resistance factor reaching a 1000). In addition, at least 6 mycoviruses were characterized. Amongst them, two mycoviruses were isolated from a N. luteum strain and were fully sequenced (Neofusicoccum luteum mitovirus 1 and Neofusicoccum luteum fusavirus 1). The three cultivars infected with either N. parvum or D. seriata showed different gene responses between themselves but also between the different strains inoculated. These different studies are giving us more information upon these Botryospheriaceae fungi, to find out new efficient or complementary methods in order to control GTDs

Thesis (MScAgric )--Stellenbosch University, 2004.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In an attempt to combat some of the pathogens that are associated with trunk diseases and disorders of grapevines, research in this thesis focused on the taxonomy and pathological aspects of Coniellai/Pilidiella, Botryosphaeria and Phomopsis spp. Previously, conidial pigmentation was used to separate Pilidiella from Coniella. Recently, however, the two genera have been regarded as synonymous, with the older name, Coniella, having priority. The most important species in the Coniellai/Pilidiella complex of grapevines is C. diplodiella (Speg.) Petr. & Syd., the causal organism of white rot of grapevines. Previous studies found it difficult to distinguish between C. diplodiella and C. fragariae (Oudem.) B. Sutton, which is known to occur in soil and caused leaf diseases of Fragaria and Eucalyptus. Both these species have previously been reported from South Africa. None of the reports on C. diplodiella could be scientifically substantiated; therefore it is still a quarantine organism. However, this status has been questioned. Based on sequence analyses of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS 1, ITS 2), 5.8S gene, large subunit (LSU) and elongation factor 1- α gene (EF l- α) from the type species of Pilidiella and Coniella, Coniella was separated from Pilidiella, with the majority of taxa residing in Pilidiella. Pilidiella is characterised by species with hyaline to pale brown conidia (avg. length: width >1.5), with Coniella having dark brown conidia (avg. length: width ≤1.5). Pilidiella diplodiella, previously C. diplodiella, causal organism of white rot of grapevines, was shown to be an older name for C. petrakii. This fungus is present in South Africa and is therefore no longer of quarantine importance. Based on analyses of the histone (H3) gene sequences of isolates in the P. diplodiella species complex, P. diplodiella was separated from a newly described species, P. diplodiopsis. A new species, P. eucalyptorum, is proposed for isolates formerly treated as C. fragariae, associated with leaf spots of Eucalyptus spp. This species clustered basal to Pilidiella, and may represent yet a third genus within this complex. Pilidiella destruens was newly described as anamorph of Schizoparme destruens, which is associated with twig dieback of Eucalyptus spp. in Hawaii. The genus Botryosphaeria Ces. & De Not. are known to be cosmopolitan, with broad host ranges and geographical distributions. Several saprotrophic species have been reported from grapevines, while others are severe pathogens of this host. These species include B. dothidea (Moug.: Fr.) Ces. & De Not., B. parva Pennycook & Samuels, B. obtusa (Schwein.) Shoemaker, B. stevensii Shoemaker, B. lutea A.J.L. Phillips and B. ribis Grossenb. & Duggar. Species reported from South Africa as grapevine pathogens are B. obtusa, B. dothidea, B. ribis and B. vitis (Schulzer) Sacco. In the present study, morphological, DNA sequence data (ITS 1, 5.8S, ITS 2 and EFI-α) and pathological data were used to distinguish 11 Botryosphaeria spp. associated with grapevines from South Africa and other parts of the world. Botryosphaeria australis, B. lutea, B. obtusa, B. parva, B. rhodina and a Diplodia sp. were confirmed from grapevines in South Africa, while Diplodia porosum, Fusicoccum viticlavatum and F. vitifusiforme were described as new species. Although isolates of B. dothidea and B. stevensii were confirmed from grapevines in Portugal, neither of these species, nor B. ribis, were isolated in this study. All grapevine isolates from Portugal, formerly presumed to be B. rib is, are identified as B. parva based on EF1-α sequence data. Artificial inoculations on grapevine shoots showed that B. australis, B. parva, B. ribis and B. stevensii are more virulent than the other species studied. The Diplodia sp. collected from grapevine canes was identified as morphologically similar, but phylogenetically distinct from D. sarmentorum, while D. sarmentorum was confirmed as anamorph of Otthia spiraeae, the type species of the genus Otthia (Botryosphaeriaceae). A culture identified as O. spiraeae clustered within Botryosphaeria, and is thus regarded as a probable synonym. These findings confirm earlier suggestions that the generic concept of Botryosphaeria should be expanded to include genera with septate ascospores and Diplodia anamorphs. The genus Phomopsis (Sacc.) Bubak contains many species that are plant pathogenic or saprotrophic. Ten species are known from grapevines. However, only two have been confirmed as being pathogenic, namely P. viticola (Sacc.) Sacc., causal organism of Phomopsis cane and leaf spot and P. vitimegaspora Kuo & Leu (teleomorph Diaporthe kyushuensis Kajitani & Kanem.), causal organism of swelling arm disease of grapevines. P. amygdali (Delacr.) 1.1. Tuset & M.T. Portilla, a known pathogen from Prunus sp., was shown to be a possible pathogen of grapevines in a previous study. D. perjuncta Niessl. causes bleaching of dormant canes only and is therefore of little importance as a grapevine pathogen. Recently a number of Phomopsis isolates were obtained from grapevines in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Isolations were made from Phomopsis-like symptoms, pruning wounds and asymptomatic nursery plants. These isolates showed great variation in morphology and cultural characteristics. Earlier taxonomic treatments of Phomopsis, based species identification on host specificity, cultural characteristics and morphology. Recent studies have indicated that these characteristics can no longer be used to distinguish species of Phomopsis due to wide host ranges and morphological plasticity of some species. The use of anamorph/teleomorph relationships in species identification is also untenable, since Diaporthe teleomorphs have only been described for approximately 20% of the known Phomopsis species. In this study morphological data, DNA sequences (ITS-I, 5.8S, ITS-2) and pathogenicity data were combined to distinguish Phomopsis spp. from grapevines. Fifteen species of Phomopsis were delineated by phylogenetic analysis of ITS sequence data. Diaporthe helianthi, a sunflower pathogen, was reported from grapevines for the first time, with a further six, unknown species also distinguished. Three different clades contained isolates previously identified as D. perjuncta. Based on type studies, it appeared that the name D. viticola was available for collections from Portugal and Germany, a new species, D. australafricana, was proposed for South African and Australian isolates, formerly treated as D. perjuncta or D. viticola. An epitype specimen and culture were designated for D. perjuncta. This species was distinguished from D. viticola and D. australafricana based on morphology and DNA phylogeny. Artificial inoculations of green grapevine shoots indicated that, of the species tested, P. amygdali, a known pathogen of peaches in the USA, and P. viticola were the most virulent.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In 'n poging om sommige patogene geassosieer met stamsiektes en syndrome, te beveg, het die navorsing in die tesis gefokus op die taksonomie en patologiese aspekte van ConiellaiPilidiella, Botryosphaeria en Phomopsis spp Voorheen is konidium pigmentasie gebruik om Pilidiella (hialien tot ligbruin konidia) van Coniella (donkerbruin konidia) te skei. Onlangs is hierdie twee genera egter as sinoniem beskou met die ouer naam, Coniella, wat voorkeur gekry het. Die belangrikste spesies in die ConiellaiPilidiella kompleks van wingerd is C. diplodiella (Speg.) Petr. & Syd., die veroorsakende organisme van witvrot van wingerd. Vorige studies het dit moeilik gevind om te onderskei tussen C. diplodiella en C. fragariae (Oudem.) B. Sutton, wat bekend is dat dit in grond voorkom en ook blaarsiektes van Fragaria en Eucalyptus veroorsaak. Beide hierdie spesies is tevore in Suid-Afrika aangemeld. Geen van die aanmeldings van C. diplodiella is egter wetenskaplik bewys nie en daarom is dit steeds 'n kwarantyn organisme. Hierdie kwarantyn status is egter bevraagteken. Op grond van DNS volgordes van die interne getranskribeerde spasieerder area ("ITS 1", "ITS2"), die 5.8S rRNS geen, die groot ribosomale subeenheid ("LSU") en die verlengingsfaktor 1-α geen ("EF-lα") van die tipe spesies van Pilidiella en Coniella, is Coniella van Pilidiella geskei, met die meerderheid van die taxa wat binne Pilidiella resorteer. Pilidiella word gekarakteriseer deur spesies met hialien tot ligbruin konidia (gem. lengte: breedte > 1.5), in teenstelling met die donkerbruin konidia van Coniella (gem. lengte: breedte ≤ 1.5). Daar is verder bewys dat Pilidiella diplodiella, voorheen C. diplodiella, veroorsakende organisme van witvrot van wingerd, die ouer naam van C. petrakii is. Hierdie swam is teenwoordig in Suid-Afrika en P. diplodiella is dus nie meer van kwarantyn belang nie. Op grond van analises van die histoon (H3) volgordes van spesies in die P. diplodiella spesies kompleks, is P. diplodiella geskei van 'n nuut beskryfde spesie, P. diplodiopsis. 'n Nuwe spesie, P. eucalyptorum, is ook voorgestel vir isolate voorheen beskou as C. fragariae, geassosieer met blaarvlek van Eucalyptus spp. Hierdie spesie het basaal van Pilidiella gegroepeer en mag moontlik nog 'n derde genus binne hierdie kompleks verteenwoordig. Pilidiella destruens is nuut as anamorf van Schizoparme destruens beskryf, wat geassosieer word met loot terugsterwing van Eucalyptus spp. in Hawaii. Die genus Botryosphaeria Ces. & De Not. is bekend as kosmopolitaans met 'n wye gasheerreeks en geografiese verspreiding. Verskeie saprofitiese spesies is aangemeld vanaf wingerd, terwyl ander ernstige patogene van hierdie gasheer is. Laasgenoemde spesies sluit in B. dothidea (Moug.: Fr.) Ces. & De Not., B. parva Pennycook & Samuels, B. obtusa (Schwein.) Shoemaker, B. stevensii Shoemaker, B. lutea A.1.L. Phillips en B. ribis Grossenb. & Duggar. Spesies aangemeld in Suid-Afrika as wingerdpatogene, is B. obtusa, B. dothidea, B. ribis en B. vitis (Schulzer) Sacco In hierdie studie is morfologiese, DNS volgorde data ("ITSl", "ITS2", 5.8S en "EF-Iα") en plantpatologiese data gebruik om II Botryosphaeria spesies, geassosieer met wingerde in Suid-Afrika en verskeie ander werelddele, te onderskei. Botryosphaeria australis, B. lutea, B. obtusa, B. parva, B. rhodina en 'n Diplodia sp. is bevestig van wingerde in Suid-Afrika, terwyl Diplodia porosum, Fusicoccum viticlavatum en F. vitifusiforme as nuwe spesies beskryf is. AIhoewel isolate van B. dothidea en B. stevensii bevestig is van wingerde in Portugal, is geen van hierdie spesies en ook nie B. ribis geïsoleer nie. AIle isolate vanaf wingerd in Portugal, voorheen beskou as B. rib is, is as B. parva op grond van hul "EF-lα" volgordes geïdentifiseer. Uit kunsmatige isolasies gemaak op wingerdlote is die gevolgtrekking gemaak dat B. australis, B. parva, B. ribis en B. stevensii meer virulent is as die ander spesies wat bestudeer is. Die Diplodia sp. versamel vanaf wingerdlote is geïdentifiseer as morfologies eenders, maar filogeneties verskillend van D. sarmentorum, terwyl D. sarmentorum bevestig is as die anamorf van Otthia spiraeae, die tipe spesie van die genus Otthia (Botryosphaeriaceae). 'n Kultuur wat as 0. spiraeae geïdentifiseer is, het binne Botryosphaeria gegroepeer, en word dus as 'n moontlike sinoniem beskou. Hierdie bevindinge bevestig vroeëre voorstelle dat die generiese konsep van Botryosphaeria uitgebrei behoort te word om genera met gesepteerde askospore en Diplodia anamorwe in te sluit. Die genus Phomopsis (Sacc.) Bubak bevat verskeie spesies wat as of plantpatogenies, of saprofities, beskryf is. Tien spesies is bekend op wingerd. Slegs twee is as patogenies bevestig, naamlik P. viticola (Sacc.) Sacc., veroorsakende organisme van loot-en-blaarvlek ("streepvlek") en P. vitimegaspora Kuo & Leu (teleomorf Diaporthe kyushuensis Kajitani & Kanem.), veroorsakende organisme van geswelde arm van wingerd. In 'n vroeëre studie is bevind dat P. amygdali (Delacr.) 1.1. Tuset & M.T. Portilla, 'n bekende patogeen van Prunus sp., moontlik ook 'n patogeen van wingerd mag wees. D. perjuncta Niessl. veroorsaak egter net verbleiking van dormante lote en is dus van min belang as 'n wingerd patogeen. Gedurende die afgelope twee jaar is verskeie Phomopsis isolate van wingerde in die Wes-Kaap provinsie van Suid-Afrika verkry. Isolasies is gemaak van Phomopsis-agtige simptome, snoeiwonde en asimptomatiese kwekeryplante. Die isolate verkry uit hierdie materiaal het groot variasie ten opsigte van morfologie en kultuureienskappe getoon. Vroeëre taksonomiese verhandelings van Phomopsis het spesies-identifikasie op gasheerspesifisiteit, kultuureienskappe en morfologie gebasseer. Onlangse studies het egter getoon dat, weens wye gasheerreekse en morfologiese plastisiteit van somnuge spesies, hierdie eienskappe me meer gebruik kan word om Phomopsis spesies te identifiseer nie. Die gebruik van anamorflteleomorf verwantskappe in die identifikasie van Phomopsis spesies ook onbruikbaar omdat Diaporthe teleomorwe vir slegs ongeveer 20% van die bekende Phomopsis spesies beskryf is. Die huidige studie het dus morfologiese data, DNS volgordes ("ITS 1", 5.8S, "ITS2") en patogenisiteitsdata gekombineer ten einde Phomopsis spp. vanaf wingerd te identifiseer. Vyftien Phomopsis spesies is deur die filogenetiese analise van die interne getranskribeerde spasieerder area ("ITS") volgordes geskei. Diaporthe helianthi, 'n bekende patogeen van sonneblomme, is vir die eerste maal op wingerd aangeteken, terwyl 'n verdere ses, tans onbekende spesies van Phomopsis ook geidentifiseer is. Drie verskillende groepe het isolate bevat wat voorheen as D. perjuncta geidentifiseer is. Gebasseer op studies van tipes, het dit voorgekom dat die naam D. viticola beskikbaar is vir isolate uit Portugal en Duitsland. 'n Nuwe spesie, D. australafricana, is voorgestel vir Suid-Afrikaanse en Australiese isolate wat voorheen behandel is as D. perjuncta of D. viticola. 'n Epitipe monster en kultuur is vir D. perjuncta benoem. Hierdie spesie is van D. viticola en D. australafricana onderskei op grond van morfologie en DNS filogenie. Kunsmatige inokulasies van groen wingerdlote het getoon dat P. amygdali, bekende perske patogeen, en P. viticola die mees virulent was.

En les últimes dècades, les malalties de la fusta de la vinya han estat motiu d’una preocupació creixent, paral·lela a l’augment de la seva incidència arreu del món. En aquest context, l’objectiu global d’aquesta tesi ha estat el d’ampliar el coneixement de la biologia i l’epidemiologia d’aquestes malalties, així com el de valorar l’aplicació d’aquests nous coneixements en seu el control. Diferents espècies de fongs de la família Botryosphaeriaceae -entre elles, Diplodia seriata-, Eutypa lata i Phaeomoniella chlamydospora són alguns dels fongs patògens més importants. En un primer estudi es van caracteritzar 83 soques de D. seriata, des del punt de vista molecular, fenotípic -basat en la morfologia dels conidis, el creixement miceliar i la compatibilitat vegetativa i sexual- i patogènic. L’estudi molecular va mostrar un polimorfisme del 88 % entre les soques, que es van classificar en dos grups genètics diferenciats. La resta d’estudis realitzats no van ser congruents amb l’agrupació genètica establerta i es va posar de manifest una gran variabilitat intraespecífica a D. seriata. Malgrat això, es va confirmar el caràcter patogènic d’aquesta espècie. Per a millorar algunes tècniques de treball amb els tres patògens citats anteriorment, es va determinar el rang de concentració d’espores òptim per a realitzar inoculacions artificials en sarments de vinya. Per a obtenir percentatges d’infecció d’entre 50 i 70 % van ser necessaris de 100 a 1000 conidis de D. seriata per ferida inoculada, de 100 a 2000 conidis de P. chlamydospora i de 100 a 500 ascòspores d’E. lata. Es va estudiar l’alliberament de conidis de D. seriata en les restes de poda de la vinya. Es va observar la reducció progressiva de l’inòcul, amb disminucions significatives en el nombre de picnidis amb conidis, el nombre de conidis per picnidi i el seu percentatge de germinació . Tot i això, tres anys i mig després de la poda encara es detectaven conidis amb capacitat germinativa, fet indicatiu d’una gran persistència de la font d’inòcul. Es va determinar la micoflora d’infeccions naturals de les ferides de poda de la vinya. Els fongs més freqüents van ser, en ordre decreixent, D. seriata, P. chlamydospora i Cryptovalsa ampelina. En conjunt, les infeccions van ser més freqüents després de la poda d’hivern, en comparació amb la poda primerenca, a la tardor. La pluja acumulada després de la poda i les temperatures registrades durant aquest període van correlacionar positivament amb els percentatges d’infecció observats. La susceptibilitat de les ferides de poda a D. seriata i P. chlamydospora va disminuir a mesura que augmentava el temps entre la poda i la infecció. Les ferides van restar més temps susceptibles a la infecció de D. seriata després d’una poda a l’hivern. La longitud de l’entrenús podat no va semblar interferir en la colonització del sarment de D. seriata; en canvi, va dificultar la de P. chlamydospora. Finalment, es va estudiar l’efecte del tractament de termoteràpia amb aigua calenta sobre la viabilitat de vuit espècies de Botryosphaeriaceae. En un primer assaig in vitro, es va avaluar la supervivència i el creixement del miceli després de sotmetre els fongs a diverses combinacions de temps i temperatura en un bany d’aigua calenta. En un segon assaig in planta, els fongs, prèviament inoculats en sarments de vinya, es van sotmetre a un rang de 50-53 °C durant 30 minuts i se’n va determinar la supervivència. En l’assaig in vitro, D. seriata, Spencermartinsia viticola, Neofusicoccum luteum i N. parvum van ser les espècies més sensibles, i N. vitifusiforme i Lasiodiplodia theobromae, les més tolerants. En l’assaig in planta, totes les espècies van ser controlades a 51 °C, quedant demostrada l’eficàcia d’aquesta tècnica i la seva potencialitat per a ser usada en el procés de producció de planta al viver.
This thesis aimed at providing new background knowledge about the biology and epidemiology of grapevine trunk diseases as well as to integrate the outcome into the development of new control measures. Some of the most relevant trunk pathogenic fungi including Diplodia seriata, Phaeomoniella chlamydospora and Eutypa lata were studied. Eighty-three D. seriata isolates were characterized with respect to their genetic, phenotypic and pathogenic features. Isolates were grouped into two distinct genetic groups. No relationships between these groups and the other studied variables were found. Diplodia seriata was confirmed as a weak grapevine pathogen but showing intraespecific variability in terms of virulence. In order to optimize the inoculum potential used in artificial inoculations with D. seriata, E. lata and P. chlamydospora, grapevine pruning wounds were inoculated with different spore doses. Infection percentages between 50-70 % were achieved when inoculating with 100-1000 conidia of D. seriata per wound, 100-2000 conidia of P. chlamydospora and 100-500 ascospores of E. lata. Release of D. seriata conidia from pruning debris was assessed. A progressive reduction in inoculum pressure was recorded as a decrease in pycnidia that contained conidia, mean amount of conidia per pycnidium and conidial viability. However, 3.5 years after pruning, viable conidia were still detected, thus confirming that pruning debris is an important long-lasting inoculum source. Pathogenic micoflora resulting from natural infections of pruning wounds included, in order of descending abundance, D. seriata, P. chlamydospora, Cryptovalsa ampelina and E. lata. Infection rates were generally higher after a late punning in winter as compared with those of an early pruning in autumn. The susceptibility of pruning wounds to D. seriata and P. chlamydospora decreased as the time between pruning and infection events increased. Pruning wounds remained more susceptible to D. seriata after a late pruning in winter. The length of the pruned internode did not inhibit cane colonization by D. seriata, but it did for P. chlamydospora. Hot water treatment reduced the viability and mycelial growth of eight Botryosphaeriaceae species in laboratory tests, thus showing the feasibility of this technique as a means of control in the grapevine propagation process.

L’Esca est une maladie du bois de la vigne caractérisée par la formation initiale de nécroses dans le bois puis par l’apparition, parfois irrégulière, de symptômes foliaires d’une année à l’autre. Le point clé pour comprendre pourquoi un tissu de bois sain de ceps matures se nécrose consiste à déterminer les facteurs favorisant l’activité pathogène des champignons, voire d’autres microorganismes tels les bactéries, et leur aptitude à dégrader les tissus du bois. Les pratiques culturales à l’origine de blessures comme la taille, augmenteraient la sensibilité des vignes aux infections par les principaux agents pathogènes associés à ce dépérissement. Dans ce contexte, une première approche a consisté à étudier l’expression de l’Esca au cours du temps (3 années) en mesurant son impact sur la physiologie des ceps. La discrimination entre ceps sains et symptomatiques, basée sur le suivi d’indicateurs foliaires (e.g. activité photosynthétique, conductance stomatique ou de composés phénoliques), n’est pas pertinente pour une détection précoce. Des différences significatives ne sont observées qu’au moment, ou à la suite, de l’expression des premiers symptômes. Par contre, la mesure des flux de sève s’est avérée efficace dans la détection des ceps symptomatiques, plusieurs semaines avant l’apparition des symptômes foliaires. Son suivi pourrait donc devenir un outil intéressant dans le cadre d’une détection précoce de l’Esca. Une seconde approche consistait à comparer deux modes de taille des ceps. Après 3 ans de suivis, les paramètres physiologiques étudiés sont homogènes pour tous les ceps. Par contre, une différenciation semble s’établir au niveau des cônes de dessiccation, ce qui induirait une dangerosité pour les flux de sève plus conséquente pour la modalité taille dite « conventionnelle » par rapport à celle censée respecter les vaisseaux in planta. Au final, on peut émettre l’hypothèse que l’interaction, ainsi que le lien, entre les symptômes internes (i.e. nécroses dans le bois) et externes (i.e. au niveau des feuilles) se ferait au niveau des flux de sève qui constitueraient donc un site d’étude privilégié pour cette maladie
Esca is a grapevine trunk disease that is characterized by the formation of necrosis in the inner wood and the erratic expression of foliar symptoms from one year to another. The key to understand why healthy wood tissues become necrotic in mature grapevines lies in the identification of the factors that influence the pathogenic behaviour of Esca-related fungi, or other microorganisms such as bacteria, and their ability to degrade woody tissue. Current viticultural management practices, such as vine pruning, generate open wounds, which increase the risk for grapevines to get infected with Esca-related pathogens. In this context, a first approach consisted in monitoring the expression of Esca over several growing seasons (3 years) by measuring its impact on grapevine physiology. Discrimination between healthy and symptomatic plants based on the surveillance of foliar indicators (e.g., photosynthetic activity, stomatal conductance, phenolic composition) was not efficient for early detection of the disease. Significant differences were observed only at the same time, or just following the expression of the first foliar Esca symptoms. On the contrary, sap flow measurements were effective in the detection of symptomatic vines several weeks before the appearance of any foliar symptoms. This monitoring method could therefore become an interesting tool for the early detection of Esca. A second approach consisted in comparing two types of pruning practices. After 3 years of monitoring, all studied physiological parameters appeared to be homogeneous for all grapevines. Nonetheless, early differences were recorded in the desiccation cones, which would suggest that the "conventional" pruning method probably limited sap flow movement, unlike a pruning system that takes into account the natural stem vessel connectivities. Finally, we can hypothesize that the interactions linking internal symptoms (i.e. necrosis in the wood) and external ones (i.e. foliar symptoms) would be located within sap conducting system, suggesting that xylem vessels are a privileged site to study Esca disease

L'esca de la vigne fait partie des maladies de dépérissement incurables dont l'étiologie n'est pas complément élucidée. Elle représente un des problèmes majeurs en viticulture. L'objectif général de cette thèse est d'améliorer la compréhension des processus épidémiques et des facteurs de risque. Pour ce faire, nous avons mené une étude quantitative du développement spatio-temporel de l'esca à l'échelle de la parcelle. Dans un premier temps, pour détecter d'éventuelles corrélations spatiales entre les cas de maladie, des tests statistiques non paramétriques sont appliqués aux données spatio-temporelles d'expression foliaires de l'esca pour 15 parcelles du bordelais. Une diversité de profils spatiaux, allant d'une distribution aléatoire à fortement structurée est trouvée. Dans le cas de structures très agrégées, les tests n'ont pas montré d'augmentation significative de la taille des foyers, ni de propagation secondaire locale à partir de ceps symptomatiques, suggérant un effet de l'environnement dans l'explication de cette agrégation. Dans le but de modéliser l'occurrence des symptômes foliaires, nous avons développé des modèles logistiques hiérarchiques intégrant à la fois des covariables exogènes liées à l'environnement et des covariables de voisinage de ceps déjà malades mais aussi un processus latent pour l'auto-corrélation spatio-temporelle. Les inférences bayésiennes sont réalisées en utilisant la méthode INLA (Inverse Nested Laplace Approximation). Les résultats permettent de conforter l'hypothèse du rôle significatif des facteurs environnementaux dans l'augmentation du risque d'occurrence des symptômes. L'effet de propagation de l'esca à petite échelle à partir de ceps déjà atteints situés sur le rang ou hors rang n'est pas montré. Un modèle autologistique de régression, deux fois centré, qui prend en compte de façon plus explicite la structure spatio-temporelle de voisinage, est également développé. Enfin, une méthode géostatistique d'interpolation de données de nature anisotropique atypique est proposée. Elle permet d'interpoler la variable auxiliaire de résistivité électrique du sol pour estimer à l'échelle de chaque plante de la parcelle, la réserve en eau du sol disponible pour la vigne. Les méthodes géostatistique et spatio-temporelles développées dans cette thèse ouvrent des perspectives pour identifier les facteurs de risques et prédire le développement de l'esca de la vigne dans des contextes agronomiques variés
Esca grapevine disease is one of the incurable dieback disease with the etiology not completely elucidated. It represents one of the major threats for viticulture around the world. To better understand the underlying process of esca spread and the risk factors of this disease, we carried out quantitative analyses of the spatio-temporal development of esca at vineyard scale. In order to detect the spatial correlation among the diseased vines, the non-parametric statistical tests were applied to the spatio-temporal data of esca foliar symptom expression for 15 vineyards in Bordeaux region. Among vineyards, a large range of spatial patterns, from random to strongly structured, were found. In the vineyards with strongly aggregated patterns, no significant increase in the size of cluster and local spread from symptomatic vines was shown, suggesting an effect of the environment in the explanation of this aggregation. To model the foliar symptom occurrence, we developed hierarchical logistic regression models by integrating exogenous covariates, covariates of neighboring symptomatic vines already diseased, and also a latent process with spatio-temporal auto-correlation. The Bayesian inferences of these models were performed by INLA (Inverse Nested Laplace Approximation) approach. The results confirmed the effect of environmental factors on the occurrence risk of esca symptom. The secondary locally spread of esca from symptomatic vines located on the same row or out of row was not shown. A two-step centered auto-logistic regression model, which explicitly integrated the spatio-temporal neighboring structure, was also developed. At last, a geostatistical method was proposed to interpolate data with a particular anisotropic structure. It allowed interpolating the ancillary variable, electrical resistivity of soil, which were used to estimate the available soil water content at vine-scale. These geostatistical methods and spatio-temporal statistical methods developed in this thesis offered outlook to identify risk factors, and thereafter to predict the development of esca grapevine disease in different agronomical contexts

Il est actuellement estimé qu’environ 13% du vignoble français est improductif suite aux pathologies affectant le bois des ceps, la principale d’entre elles étant l’esca. Parmi les moyens de lutte mis en œuvre, le biocontrôle, via l’utilisation d’un oomycète, Pythium oligandrum, est actuellement développé pour protéger les plants de vigne contre un agent pathogène pionnier de l’esca, Phaeomoniella chlamydospora. La sélection de souches de P. oligandrum, isolées du vignoble, et produisant in vitro des quantités importantes d’une protéine élicitrice, l’oligandrine, des systèmes de défense des végétaux a d’abord été réalisée. Trois essais en serre ont montré qu’une réduction significative (40 à 50%) des nécroses dues P. chlamydospora était observée après application d’inocula de l’oomycète sur les racines des plants de vigne pied-francs Au niveau de la tige, le niveau d’expression de 22 gènes impliqués dans les mécanismes de défenses de Vitis vinifera a été mesuré par PCR quantitative et des réponses spécifiques du végétal ont été observées selon les traitements. Six gènes (protéines PR, voie des phenylpropanoïdes, oxylipines et le système d’oxydo-réduction) ont été fortement induits lorsque les plants ont été pré-inoculés par P. oligandrum puis infectés par P. chlamydospora. Afin de mettre en évidence les mécanismes spécifiques mis en place lors de cette interaction tripartite, l'analyse de la réponse transcriptomique globale de la vigne (par microarray et RNAseq), au niveau de la tige, a été réalisée chez ces plants qui manifestent une résistance induite systémique (ISR). Plusieurs gènes impliqués dans la synthèse de l’éthylène et des jasmonates sont fortement induits, chez les plants pré-traités par l’oomycète puis infectés par l’agent pathogène. Plusieurs facteurs de transcription régulant ces voies de signalisation sont également fortement induits. Suite à l’analyse des populations de messagers (mRNA) de P. chlamydospora, il a été observé que les niveaux d’expression de gènes impliqués dans la synthèse des métabolites secondaires, des facteurs de transcription impliquées dans la régulation de différentes voies chez les champignons et certaines Carbohydrates Actives enZymes étaient modulés en présence de P. oligandrum au niveau racinaire. Ces résultats montrent que la colonisation du végétal par l’oomycète, même à distance de P. chlamydospora, induit un stress indirect important chez celui-ci. Afin d’optimiser l’implantation de cet agent de biocontrôle en pépinière et au vignoble, l’aptitude de P. oligandrum à coloniser les racines de plants de vignes greffés et à les protéger contre P. chlamydospora a été étudiée. Trois portes-greffes (SO4, 3309 et 101-14) greffés sur des cépages (Cabernet Sauvignon et Sauvignon Blanc) ont été inoculés ou non par P. oligandrum. L’oomycète s’implantait sur les différents systèmes racinaires, mais en proportion variable selon les associations cépage/porte-greffe utilisées. Les analyses par empreintes moléculaires (Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism) ont montré que des microflores fongiques et bactériennes complexes et diversifiées colonisaient les feuilles et les racines, mais que l’introduction de P. oligandrum sur la plante n’induisait pas de bouleversements directs ou indirects notables au niveau de ces microflores indigènes. Une protection des jeunes plants de vigne greffés (SO4 + Cabernet Sauvignon) semble être induite par P. oligandrum contre l’agent pathogène, P. chlamydospora
Approximately 13% of French vineyards are currently considered unproductive due to trunk diseases, mainly Esca, a particularly destructive disease that affects grapevines worldwide. Accordingly, biological control of a pathogen implicated in Esca, Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, was developed using the oomycete, Pythium oligandrum. The selection of P. oligandrum strains, isolated from vineyards, which produced in vitro large quantities of oligandrin, an elicitin-like protein inducing plant defences, was carried out. Three greenhouse assays showed that the necroses caused by P. chlamydospora were significantly reduced (40 to 50%) when P. oligandrum colonized the root system of vine cuttings. At stem level, the expression of a set of 22 genes involved in Vitis vinifera defence mechanisms was measured by quantitative PCR. Depending on the treatments employed, significant differences in grapevine responses were observed. Six of the genes (PR proteins, phenyl-propanoid pathway, oxylipins and the oxydo-reduction system) were strongly induced in plants pre-treated with P. oligandrum, and subsequently infected by P. chlamydospora. In order to characterize the mechanisms occurring during this tri-partite interaction, the global transcriptomic grapevine responses at stem level were analysed, using microarray and RNAseq, in plants in which induced systemic resistance (ISR) had taken place. Several genes involved in ethylene and jasmonate biosynthesis were strongly induced in plants that were pre-treated with P. oligandrum, and subsequently infected by P. chlamydospora. The transcription factors involved in the regulation of these signalisation pathways were also induced. Analysis of the P. chlamydospora RNA messenger (mRNA), showed that certain genes involved in secondary metabolite synthesis, transcription factors implicated in pathway regulations, and certain Carbohydrate Active enZymes, were modulated, when P. oligandrum colonised the roots. These results demonstrated that root inoculation with P. oligandrum induced indirect stress on P. chlamydospora responses. In order to promote P. oligandrum implantation in nurseries and vineyards, the capacity of this biocontrol agent to colonize the roots of grafted-plants, and to protect them against P. chlamydospora attacks, was studied. Three rootstocks (SO4, 3309 and 101-14), grafted on two scion varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc), were inoculated or not with P. oligandrum. Depending on the particular scion/rootstock associations, the oomycete colonized the various root systems differently. Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism (SSCP) analyses revealed complex and diverse fungal and bacterial communities in both the rhizosphere and the phyllosphere. These microflora, which were organ-dependent, were not direcly or indirectly affected by the root inoculation of P. oligandrum. Protection of grafted vines (SO4 + Cabernet Sauvignon) was probably induced by P. oligandrum against the pathogen, P. chlamydospora

Les recherches sur la lutte biologique (ou biocontrôle) par utilisation de micro-organismes connaissent un essor remarquable, les applications au champ étant cependant encore limitées en raison des variations d’efficacité dans la protection des plantes. Celles-ci sont souvent imputées à la non persistance des agents de biocontrôle dans la rhizosphère ou sur le végétal qu’ils sont censés protéger. Afin de réduire ce risque, une solution consiste à utiliser des micro-organismes isolés du végétal que l’on souhaite protéger. Dans le cadre de cette thèse, Pythium oligandrum, un oomycète colonisateur de la rhizosphère de nombreuses plantes dont la vigne, a été étudié pour lutter contre l’esca, une maladie du bois de la vigne pour laquelle il n’existe actuellement aucune méthode de lutte disponible. Des souches de P. oligandrum ont été isolées de la rhizosphère de ceps cultivés dans 3 régions viticoles (12 vignobles) du Bordelais présentant des sols variés : argilo-calcaire, sable-graveleux et graveleux. Les analyses des communautés fongiques et bactériennes obtenues par empreinte moléculaire (Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism) ont montré que, contrairement aux bactéries, les espèces fongiques différaient selon les régions. Des Pythium spp. aux oospores échinulées ont été isolées à partir des racines des ceps échantillonnés, avec une prédominance de P. oligandrum (séquençage de la région ITS). L’analyse des séquences des gènes codant pour le cytochrome oxydase I et une tubuline a permis de constituer 3 groupes de souches. Le séquençage d’autres gènes codant pour des protéines « élicitines-like » a indiqué que chaque souche présentait au moins un gène codant pour chacun des 2 types d’éliciteurs de P. oligandrum : l’oligandrine et les protéines de la paroi cellulaire (CWPs). Il apparaît que le type de sol et la microflore associée à la rhizosphère n’exerceraient pas une influence suffisante pour que la structure génétique des populations de P. oligandrum soient associées à un contexte tellurique particulier. En revanche, le type de porte-greffe et la méthode de désherbage (chimique ou mécanique) pourraient avoir une incidence sur la colonisation racinaire par P. oligandrum. Les relations entre P. oligandrum et les racines de la vigne ont été étudiées par analyse transcriptomique (microarray Vitis vinifera de 29 549 gènes). Les résultats obtenus montrent que de jeunes plants de vigne ont répondu à la colonisation racinaire par P. oligandrum en modifiant l’expression de gènes intervenant dans plusieurs voies métaboliques. Deux aspects a priori opposés ont été observés : P. oligandrum serait perçu comme (1) un agresseur contre lequel la plante a mis en place des réactions de défense mais en même temps, comme (2) un micro-organisme symbiotique car un certain nombre de modifications transcriptionnelles étaient similaires à celles reportées dans les interactions rhyzosphèriques symbiotiques (e.g. forte stimulation de gènes codant pour des subtilases). Un essai visant à induire chez la vigne une protection contre un champignon pathogène impliqué dans l’esca, Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, grâce à P. oligandrum, a été réalisé. La colonisation des racines par P. oligandrum a été associée à une réduction de la longueur des nécroses dues à P. chlamydospora. En adéquation avec ce résultat, l’analyse transcriptomique par RT-PCRq et microarrays a montré une surexpression de la voie de l’éthylène. Plusieurs gènes spécifiquement induits constitueraient des marqueurs de résistance qu’il conviendra de valider lors de prochaines expérimentations
Biocontrol research based on the use of microorganisms is expanding very rapidly. However, the use of such bioncontrol agents is still too inconsistent to effectively protect plants in field applications. This phenomenon is often attributed to the non-persistence of biocontrol agents in the rhizosphere or on the plants. In order to reduce the risk of this happening, one solution consists in using microorganisms that are isolated from the plants needing protection. In this thesis, an oomycete called Pythium oligandrum, which colonizes the rhizosphere of many plants, including grapevine, was assessed for the control of esca, a grapevine trunk disease for which no control method is currently available. P. oligandrum strains have been isolated from the rhizosphere of vines cultivated in 3 wine-growing regions (12 grapevines) of Bordeaux with different types of soil: stony-sandy, silty and stony. Analyses of fungal and bacterial communities using a molecular fingerprinting method (Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism) showed that, unlike bacteria, the fungal species varied according to the sampling region. Roots of all the vines sampled were colonized by echinulated-oospore Pythium spp., with P. oligandrum strains predominating. Phylogenetic analyses based on the genes encoding the cytochrome oxidase I and one tubulin allowed these strains to be clustered into three groups. The sequencing of the elicitin-like genes, whose proteins are key components in inducing systemic resistance in plants, showed that each strain held at least one gene encoding for each of the two kinds of P. oligandrum elicitors (i.e. oligandrin and Cell Wall Proteins). Sequencing and molecular fingerprinting analyses showed thus that the type of soil and the rhizosphere microbiota did not shape the population structure of P. oligandrum. However, other factors such as the different kinds of rootstock and weeding management can also have an influence on the root colonization by P. oligandrum. The relationship between P. oligandrum and grapevine was studied using a transcriptomic approach (microarray Vitis vinifera, 29 549 genes). The results highlighted the modifications induced by young vines in response to P. oligandrum root colonization, in the genetic expression of several genes belonging to different metabolic pathways. Two aspects, that are usually opposed, were observed: P. oligandrum was perceived by the plant either (i) as a pathogen because certain defence reactions were triggered (e.g. calcium signalling, resistance genes, abscissic acid metabolism) or as (ii) a symbiotic microorganism since several transcriptional changes were similar to those reported in symbiotic interactions (e.g. induction of subtilase genes). An assay aimed at protecting grapevine against a pathogenic fungus involved in esca, and known to be responsible for wood necrosis, i.e. Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, was carried out. The root colonization by P. oligandrum was associated with a reduction in the length of necroses. In line with this result, transcriptomic analyses by microarrays and RT-qPCR showed overexpression of several genes, particularly those of the ethylene pathway. Some of these induced genes could be thus used as resistance markers, but this needs to be validated in further experiments

Contre la pourriture grise et les maladies du bois (MdBs), qui sont des maladies cryptogamiques majeures de la vigne, la lutte biologique a un potentiel de développement considérable dans le contexte actuel de réduction des intrants chimiques en viticulture.L’objectif de cette thèse est de sélectionner et d'étudier des souches bactériennes antagonistes de Botrytis cinerea (Pourriture grise) et de deux champignons pathogènes clefs liés aux MdBs: Phaeomoniella chlamydospora et Neofusicoccum parvum. Les expériences de screening principales sont réalisées in vivo et in planta sur 46 souches bactériennes isolées dans le vignoble bordelais. Le niveau de protection par les souches antagonistes dépend significativement de la souche bactérienne, de l’espèce de champignon pathogène ciblée, du tissu ou organe végétal hôte, mais aussi pour N. parvum, du mode d’application de la souche bactérienne et, pour B. cinerea, du génotype lié aux transposons : transposa ou vacuma.Une réduction significative de 40 à 64% de la taille des nécroses dues à P. chlamydospora et/ou N. parvum est induite par trois souches bactériennes Pantoea agglomerans (S1), Paenibacillus sp. (S19) et Bacillus pumilus (S32) sur des boutures de vigne non greffées. Ces souches ont fait l'objet d'investigations approfondies pour déterminer leurs principaux modes d’action : Antibiose, production de composés volatils qui ont été identifiés et/ou induction de différents gènes de défense de la vigne.Concernant B. cinerea, les souches Enterobacter cowanii (S22), Enterobacter sp. (S23), Bacillus ginsengihumi (S38) et Bacillus sp. (S43, S46) présentent un pouvoir antagoniste important par production de composés volatils et diffusibles anti-Botrytis, ainsi que par compétition pour les nutriments par E. cowanii (S22)
Biological control of gray mold and grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs), which are major fungal diseases of grapevine, has a considerable potential development in the current context of reduction of chemical input in viticulture.The aim of this study was to select and study bacterial strains for antagonism against Botrytis cinerea, the causal agent of gray mold, and two key pathogens involved in GTDs: Phaeomoniella chlamydospora and Neofusicoccum parvum. The main screening experiments for antagonistic activity of 46 bacterial strains, isolated from Bordeaux vineyards, have been carried out under different in vivo and in planta conditions. The efficacy of protection by the antagonistic strains significantly depended on the bacterial strain, the targeted pathogen species, the host plant tissue or organ and, for N. parvum, also on the application mode of the bacterial strain and, for B. cinerea, on the transposon genotype: transposa or vacuma.A significant reduction in length of necrosis due to P. chlamydospora and/or N. parvum, ranging between 40 and 64% in non-grafted vine cuttings, resulted from three bacterial strains: Pantoea agglomerans (S1), Paenibacillus sp. (S19) and Bacillus pumilus (S32). These strains were thoroughly further investigated to determine their major modes of action by i) Antibiosis ii) production of antifungal volatile organic compounds, which have been identified, and/or iii) induction of different grapevine defense genes. Concerning B. cinerea, Enterobacter cowanii (S22), Enterobacter sp. (S23) Bacillus ginsengihumi (S38), Bacillus sp. (S43, S46) were of prime importance in the biocontrol by producing anti-Botrytis volatile and diffusible compounds or by competing for nutrients (case of E. cowanii S22)

Doutoramento em Engenharia Agronómica - Instituto Superior de Agronomia
Considering the growing importance of black foot disease of grapevine, this study was aimed to deeply understand details on taxonomy, genetics, biology and pathological behaviour of its main causal agents, previously attributed mostly to Ilyonectria liriodendri and I. macrodidyma. A multi-gene analysis of a collection of Ilyonectria isolates, along with morphological characterisation, enabled the description of 12 species from I. radicicola and four from I. macrodidyma complexes. Among these, pathogenicity experiments revealed I. lusitanica, I. estremocensis and I. europaea as more virulent to grapevine than I. liriodendri and I. macrodidyma. The entire mating-type loci of I. liriodendri and of species from the I. macrodidyma complex were obtained. While the idiomorph structure of species from the latter matches that of other heterothallic Hypocreales, the organization of the mating-type loci in I. liriodendri seems unique, suggesting a potential pseudo-heterothallism. Soilborne inoculum is accepted to contribute significantly to initiate black foot disease in grapevine plants. qPCR amplification from DNA soil samples demonstrate that rotation can reduce the levels of Ilyonectria in nurseries, and that levels of infestation in vineyard soils are lower than in nursery or mother-plant soils. Additionally, a protoplast transformation protocol is presented for the stable integration of the GFP gene in the genome of I. liriondendri, enabling future downstream functional genetic studies.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2015.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Vitis vinifera is the woody crop most susceptible to intracellular pathogens. Currently 70 pathogens infect grapevine, of which 63 are of viral origin. Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3) is the type species of the genus Ampelovirus, family Closteroviridae. It is considered to be the primary causative agent of Grapevine leafroll disease (GLD) globally; however, the etiology of GLD is not completely understood. Here we report on the viral populations present in GLD symptomatic grapevines across the Western Cape province, South Africa. A widespread survey was performed to screen 315 grapevines for 11 grapevine-infecting viruses using RT-PCR. Additionally, GLRaV-3 variant groups were distinguished with high-resolution melt (HRM) curve analysis used in conjunction with real-time RT-PCR. Members of the family Closteroviridae were detected with the highest frequency, particularly GLRaV-3 that was detected in 87% of tested plants. Nextgeneration sequencing (NGS) is capable of detecting known and novel viruses without prior knowledge of viral sequences and when used in a metagenomic approach is able to detected viral populations within diseased vines. A total of 17 grapevine samples were subjected to NGS using either an Illumina MiSeq or HiSeq 2500 instrument to determine the virome within GLD vines. Collectively, more than 190 million reads were generated through NGS. Read datasets were trimmed and filtered for quality and subjected to both read-mapping and de novo assembly. Contigs assembled de novo were analyzed with BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) against the NCBI (National Centre for Biotechnology Information) database and it was determined that GLRaV-3 was the best-represented virus, comprising 97.5% of the assembled contigs. Grapevine virus F (GVF) was detected for the first time in South African vineyards through de novo assemblies and the complete genome sequence validated through direct Sanger sequencing. The complete genome of GVF isolate V5 spans 7 539 nucleotides and shares 89.11% nucleotide identity to existing GVF genomes. The data generated through this study will assist in further understanding the etiology of GLD, support the current hypothesis of GLRaV-3 as the primary contributor to GLD, aid in understanding virus associations in diseased vines and potentially develop systems in which to control disease spread and symptom severity.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Vitis vinifera is die houtagtige oes wat die mees vatbaarste is vir intrasellulêre patogene. Tans word wingerde deur 70 patogene geïnfekteer, waarvan 63 van virale oorsprong is. Grapevine leafrollassociated virus 3 (GLRaV-3) is die tipe spesie van die genus Ampelovirus, familie Closteroviridae. Dit word globaal beskou as die primêre oorsaak van Wingerd krulblaar-siekte (GLD), alhoewel die etiologie van GLD nie heeltemal begryp word nie. In hierdie verslag word die virale populasies teenwoordig in GLD simptomatiese wingerde oor die Wes-Kaap provinsie in Suid-Afrika gerapporteer. ‘n Wydverspreide opname was uitgevoer om 315 wingerde met 11 wingerdinfekterende virusse te ondersoek, deur gebruik te maak van tru-transkripsie polimerase ketting reaksie (PKR). Verder is variantgroepe van GLRaV-3 onderskei met hoë-resolusie smeltingskurweanalise, tesame met die gebruik van in-tyd tru-transkripsie PKR. Die hoogste frekwensie was van die lede van die familie Closteroviridae, veral GLRaV-3 wat in 87% van die ondersoekte plante gevind is. Nuwe-generasie volgorderbepaling (NGS) beskik oor die vermoë om bekende en nuwe virusse te herken in virale populasies in geaffekteerde wingerde sonder vorige kennis van virale volgorderbepalings en wanneer dit in ‘n metagenomiese benadering gebruik word kan die virale bevolkings binne siek wingerde ontdek. ‘n Totaal van 17 wingerd-steekproewe was blootgestel aan NGS deur die gebruik van of ‘n Illumina MiSeq of ‘n HiSeq 2500 instrument om die virome te bepaal van GLD wingerde. In totaal is meer 190 miljoen lesings gegenereer deur NGS. Hierdie data lesings was verwerk en gefilter vir kwaliteit om onderwerp te word vir beide kartering en de novo samestellings. Contigs verkry deur de novo samestellings was geanaliseer met BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) teenoor die NCBI (National Centre for Biotechnology Information) databasis en dit was vasgestel dat GLRaV-3 was die mees-verteenwoordigende virus, bestaande uit 97.5% van die saamgestelde contigs. Grapevine virus F (GVF) was vir die eerste keer in Suid- Afrikaanse wingerde waargeneem deur de novo samestellings en die volledige genoom volgordger is geverifieer deur middel van direkte Sanger volgorderbepaling. Die volledige genoom van GVF isoleer V5 spanwydte van 7539 nukleotiedes en deel 89.11% nukleotied identiteite van bestaande GVF genome. Die gegenereerde data van hierdie studie sal bykomende begrip van die etiologie van GLD bystaan, die huidige hipotese van GLRaV-3 as die primêre bydraer tot GLD ondersteun, verhoogde begrip van virus-assosiasies in wingerdsiektes verseker en potensiële sisteme ontwikkel om siektes en simptome te beheer.

A common symptom of Idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (IPD) is decreased trunk and balance control. These deficits in patients with IPD are not treatable, and their underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Additionally, it is not known to what extent decreased trunk control contributes to postural instability in patients with IPD. Previous work by Martin (1965) observed that patients with post-encephalitatic Parkinson’s disease would fall in the direction of the tilt when perturbed while seated. In order to better understand the underlying causes of these observed trunk deficits and attempt to replicate Martins findings, this study investigated postural corrective movement of the trunk while seated in patients with IPD and age-matched healthy controls. Participants’ range of motion (ROM) was tested actively and passively while lying supine, following which, bilateral electromyography (EMG) (rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), and erector spinae (EST9, L3)) and 3-D kinematic measures were recorded while participants were seated on a modified chair and received unexpected perturbations, 7° at 40°/sec, in four different directions (forward, backward, left, and right). EMG responses were normalized to participant’s maximum voluntary contractions. We observed patients with IPD to have decreased active and passive ROM only in the frontal plane relative to controls. Patterning of muscle responses to rotational perturbations did not vary between groups in any direction, except backward, and trends toward significantly greater EST9 activity were observed during backward and left tilts in patients with IPD. Despite this both patients with IPD and controls were able to make appropriate trunk corrective movements opposite the direction of the tilt. However, two patients, who were most severely affected, did make incorrect trunk movements in the direction of the tilt during left and right tilting perturbations which, upon visual inspection, appear to be due to improperly modulated and timed muscle responses. Thus, our data counters the findings of Martin, and suggests the trunk is posturally stable in IPD. Therefore, balance instabilities during stance are likely due to improper responses of the lower limbs. However, as disease severity increases, the contributing influence of an improperly responding trunk may add to their postural deficits.

Dissertation (PhD (Agric))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: During the past few years a drastic reduction has been noted in the survival rate of grafted grapevines in nurseries, as well as in young vineyards in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Circumstantial evidence suggested that Cylindrocarpon spp., which cause black foot disease of grapevine, were associated with this decline. Black foot disease of grapevine is a relatively new, and as yet poorly known disease affecting vines in various countries where grapevines are cultivated. Primary aims of this research have been (1) to conduct nursery surveys in order to determine which fungi are involved in the decline phenomenon, with special reference to the involvement of Cylindrocarpon spp., (2) to identify and characterise the organisms believed to be the causal organisms of black foot disease, and (3) the development of control and/or management strategies to prevent or eradicate Cylindrocarpon infections. Nursery grapevines were sampled at different stages from three commercial nurseries in the Wellington area of the Western Cape Province and were investigated during the 19992000 season by means of destructive sampling. The first samples were taken in September from callused cuttings prior to planting in nurseries. After planting, asymptomatic rooted cuttings were selected from nurseries after 3, 6 and 9 months. Isolation studies clearly demonstrated that different “Cylindrocarpon spp.” infected cuttings from nursery soils. These species rarely occurred in rootstock propagation material prior to planting. At the time of planting, the susceptible basal ends (especially the pith area) of most of the nursery cuttings are partly or even fully exposed. Callus roots also break during the planting process, resulting in small wounds susceptible to infection by soilborne pathogens. The isolation studies revealed that the first infections occurred in the roots, followed by infections of the rootstocks. These infections increased progressively during the course of the growing season. Substantial variation in cultural and morphological characters was observed among the Cylindrocarpon isolates obtained from the nursery survey, as well as from isolations that were made from diseased grapevines. Morphological and phylogenetic studies were conducted to identify these “Cylindrocarpon spp.” and to establish their association with black foot disease. Sequences of the partial nuclear large subunit ribosomal DNA (LSU rDNA), internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 of the rDNA including the 5.8S rDNA gene (ITS), and partial β-tubulin gene introns and exons were used for phylogenetic inference. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed the diversity observed among the isolates and four Cylindrocarpon-like species were identified. One of these species was initially identified as Cylindrocarpon destructans. However, further research revealed C. destructans to represent a species complex. Grapevine isolates of “C. destructans” proved to be identical to the ex-type strain of Cylindrocarpon liriodendri, which also produced a teleomorph, Neonectria liriodendri in culture. A second species was newly described in this study as Cylindrocarpon macrodidymum (Neonectria macrodidyma). The two remaining Cylindrocarpon-like species were placed in a new genus, Campylocarpon. The two species were named Campylocarpon fasciculare and Campylocarpon pseudofasciculare. Pathogenicity studies confirmed that all four species were able to reduce root and shoot mass significantly. Knowledge obtained pertaining to the disease cycle of black foot disease suggest that suitable management strategies should focus on prevention of primary infection in nurseries. However, at present, no fungicides are registered for control of this disease in South African vineyards or nurseries. Thirteen fungicides were screened in vitro for mycelial inhibition of these pathogens. Prochloraz manganese chloride, benomyl, flusilazole and imazalil were the most effective fungicides tested, and were subsequently included in semi-commercial field trials. Basal ends of grafted cuttings were dipped (1 min) in various chemical and biological treatments prior to planting in open-rooted nurseries. Black foot pathogens were not isolated from grafted cuttings prior to planting in nurseries. Additional treatments involved soil amendments with Trichoderma formulations and hot water treatment (50°C for 30 min) of dormant nursery grapevines. Field trials were evaluated after a growing season of eight months. The incidence of black foot pathogens was not significantly and/or consistently reduced by the majority of chemical or biological treatments. However, these pathogens were not isolated from uprooted plants that were subjected to hot water treatment. It is therefore recommended that hot water treatment of dormant nursery plants be included in an integrated strategy for the proactive management of black foot disease in grapevine nurseries.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Gedurende die afgelope paar jaar is ‘n drastiese afname waargeneem in die sukses van geënte wingerdplante in kwekerye, sowel as jong wingerde van die Wes-Kaap. Omstandigheidsgetuienis dui daarop dat Cylindrocarpon spp., wat die wingerdsiekte swartvoet veroorsaak, geassosieer word met hierdie agteruitgang. Swartvoet is ‘n relatiewe nuwe siekte waarvan daar baie min inligting bekend is, alhoewel dit voorkom in verskeie lande waar wingerd verbou word. Die primêre doel van navorsing was (1) om opnames in wingerdkwekerye uit voer om te bepaal watter swamme betrokke is by die verskynsel van agteruitgang, met spesiale verwysing na die betrokkenheid van Cylindrocarpon spp., (2) om die organismes te identifiseer en te karakteriseer wat daarvan verdink word dat hulle die siekte swartvoet veroorsaak, en (3) om beheer en/of bestuurspraktyke te ontwikkel om Cylindrocarpon infeksies te voorkom of uit te wis. Kwekeryplantjies in drie kommersiële kwekerye in die Wellington omgewing van die Wes-Kaap is gedurende verskillende tye gedurende die groeiseisoen gemonitor. Die opnames het plaasgevind gedurende die 19992000 seisoen deur middel van destruktiewe monsterneming. Die eerste monsters is geneem in September nadat die stokkies geënt en gekallus is en voordat dit in die kwekery geplant is. Na plant is asimptomatiese, gewortelde plante vanuit die kwekerye na 3, 6 en 9 maande uitgehaal. Isolasiestudies dui duidelik daarop dat verskillende “Cylindrocarpon spp.” plante vanuit die kwekerygrond geïnfekteer het. Hierdie spesies het selde voorgekom in onderstok-voortplantingsmateriaal voor plant. Tydens plant is die vatbare basale gedeelte, veral die pit, van die meeste geënte stokkies gedeeltelik of selfs volledig blootgestel. Kalluswortels breek ook tydens plant wat wonde laat vir infeksie deur grondgedraagde siektes. Die isolasiestudies dui ook daarop dat die eerste infeksies in die wortels plaasgevind het, gevolg deur infeksies van die onderstokke. Hierdie infeksies het toenemend voorgekom gedurende die verloop van die groeiseisoen. Substansiële variasie in kultuur- en morfologiese eienskappe is waargeneem in die Cylindrocarpon isolate wat tydens die kwekeryopnames versamel is, sowel as van isolasies wat gemaak is uit siek plante. Morfologiese en filogenetiese studies is uitgevoer om hierdie “Cylindrocarpon spp.” te identifiseer en hul betrokkenheid by die siekte swartvoet uit te klaar. Gedeeltelike DNS volgordes van die groot ribosomale subeenheid (“LSU rDNA”), interne getranskribeerde spasiëerderarea (“ITS1, “ITS2”), insluitend die 5.8S rRNS geen, en gedeeltelike β-tubilien geen introns and eksons is gebruik vir filogenetiese analise. Filogenetiese analises het die diversiteit wat waargeneem is tussen die verskillende isolate bevestig deurdat vier Cylindrocarpon-agtige spesies geïdentifiseer is. Een van hierdie spesies is aanvanklik geïdentifiseer as Cylindrocarpon destructans. Verdere navorsing het egter daarop gedui dat C. destructans ‘n spesie-kompleks verteenwoordig. “C. destructans” afkomstig van wingerd blyk identies te wees aan die ex-tipe isolaat van Cylindrocarpon liriodendri, wat ook ’n teleomorf, Neonectria liriodendri in kultuur vorm. ’n Tweede spesie is nuut beskryf in hierdie studie as Cylindrocarpon macrodidymum (Neonectria macrodidyma). Die twee oorblywende Cylindrocarpon-agtige spesies is geplaas in ‘n nuwe genus, Campylocarpon. Die twee spesies staan bekend as Campylocarpon fasciculare en Campylocarpon pseudofasciculare. Patogenisiteitstudies het bevestig dat al vier spesies die vermoë het om wortel- en lootmassa van wingerdplant drasties te verlaag. Kennis wat opgedoen is rakende die lewensiklus van swartvoet dui daarop dat bestuurspraktyke daarop moet fokus om primêre infeksies in wingerdkwekerye te voorkom. Op die oomblik is daar egter geen fungisiedes geregistreer vir die beheer van die siekte in Suid- Afrikaanse wingerde of kwekerye nie. Dertien fungisiedes is in vitro geëvalueer om te bepaal of dit miseliumgroei van hierdie swamme kan inhibeer. Prochloraz mangaan chloried, benomyl, flusilasool en imazalil was die effektiefste fungisiedes wat ondersoek is, en is gevolglik ingesluit in semi-kommersiële veldproewe. Die basale gedeelte van geënte stokkies is gedoop (1 min) in verskeie chemies en biologiese behandelings voordat dit geplant is in die kwekerye. Patogene wat geassosieer word met swartvoet is nie vanuit geënte stokkies geïsoleer voordat dit in die kwekerye geplant is nie. Addisionele behandelings het bestaan uit grondtoevoegings met Trichoderma formulasies, sowel as warmwaterbehandeling (50°C vir 30 min) van dormante kwekeryplante. Die veldproewe is geëvalueer na ‘n groeiseisoen van 8 maande. Die voorkoms van swartvoet patogene is nie betekenisvol/konstant verlaag deur die meeste chemies en biologiese behandelings nie. Hierdie patogene is egter nie vanuit plante geïsoleer wat na uithaal aan warmwaterbehandeling blootgestel is nie. Dit word dus aanbeveel dat warmwaterbehandeling van dormante kwekeryplante deel word van ‘n geïntegreerde strategie vir die pro-aktiewe beheer van swartvoet in wingerdkwekerye.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa is ranked eighth in the world as far as international wine production is concerned and in terms of area under bearing vines South Africa is ranked 12th. In 2011 the wine industry contributed R4 204.4 million to the South African economy in state revenue from wine products. The importance of viticulture to the economy of South Africa forces the industry to limit the effect of all disease causing pathogens in order to keep their competitive edge. Aster yellows (AY) phytoplasma 16SrI-B subgroup was reported for the first time in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. (Vitaceae)) in South Africa in 2006. Worldwide phytoplasma diseases of grapevine cause serious damage ranging from lower yields to the death of vines. The lack of knowledge about the epidemiology of AY disease makes it difficult to determine the impact of the disease on the South African wine industry. The aim of this study was to conduct surveys in disease-affected vineyards in the Vredendal region to determine the incidence and spatial distribution of the disease in a variety of cultivars. The field surveys based on visual symptoms of AY disease were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A survey was also conducted in and around AY-infected vineyards in search of possible alternative host plants of the phytoplasma. Spatial distribution of AY-affected vines were analysed using the PATCHY spatial analysis package. A rapid decline of AY-affected Chardonnay eventually leading to the death of vines was observed, confirming the sensitivity of Chardonnay towards grapevine yellows infections. Symptomless AY infections occurred and AY could not be detected in all symptomatic vines, which indicate uneven distribution of AY in individual vines. Molecular analyses using PCR-RFLP showed that all vines sampled in the Vredendal vicinity contained AY phytoplasma only. No phytoplasmas were present in any weeds or other possible host plants tested. Although the mean yearly disease incidences of Chardonnay (29.95%) and Chenin blanc (16.64%) were higher than Pinotage (5.80%) over the four-year survey period, there was no statistically significant difference between the disease incidences of these three cultivars. The mean yearly disease incidence showed a trend over time and the disease incidence of the first year was significantly lower than that of the other years. Chardonnay showed a cumulative disease incidence of 37.77% at the end of the 4-year study which means that Chardonnay vineyards can be 100% AY infected in ten years’ time. Spatial distribution patterns of AY-infected vines were mostly non-random with clustering of disease affected vines along and across vine rows. With the exception of one vineyard, aggregation of AY-affected vines mostly occurred on the edge of vineyards adjacent to infected vineyards. This epidemiological study gives an indication of the sensitivity of the different cultivars towards AY, the tempo of spreading and the future impact of the disease on the South African wine industry. It also contributes valuable information towards the development of a management strategy for grapevine yellows disease in South African vineyards.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suid- Afrika is op agtste op die wêreld ranglys wat internasionale produksie van wyn aan betref, en in terme van oppervlakte onder wingerd, is Suid-Afrika 12de. In 2011 het die wynbedryf R4 204.4 miljoen tot die Suid-Afrikaanse ekonomie bygedra in staats inkomste uit wyn produkte. Die belangrikheid van wingerd tot die ekonomie van Suid-Afrika dwing die bedryf om die effek van alle siekteveroorsakende patogene te beperk, om sodoende hul kompeterende voordeel te behou. Aster vergeling (AY) fitoplasma 16SrI-B subgroep is vir die eerste keer in 2006 in wingerd (Vitis vinifera L. (Vitaceae)) in Suid-Afrika waargeneem. Fitoplasma siektes van wingerd veroorsaak wêreldwyd ernstige skade wat wissel van laer opbrengste tot die afsterf van wingerdstokke. Die gebrek aan kennis oor die epidemiologie van astervergeling siekte maak dit moeilik om die impak van die siekte op die Suid-Afrikaanse wynbedryf te bepaal. Die doel van hierdie studie was om ‘n opname te maak in siekte geaffekteerde wingerde in die Vredendal omgewing om sodoende siekte voorkoms en verspreidingspatrone van die siekte in 'n verskeidenheid van kultivars te bepaal. Die veld opnames, gebaseer op visuele simptome van aster vergeling siekte, was bevestig deur polimerase kettingreaksie (PKR). ‘n Opname is ook in en om aster vergeling geaffekteerde wingerde uitgevoer, op soek na moontlike alternatiewe gasheer plante van die fitoplasma. Verspreidingspatrone van astervergeling geaffekteerde wingerde is ontleed met behulp van die PATCHY ruimtelike analise pakket. 'n Vinnige agteruitgang van AY geaffekteerde Chardonnay, wat uiteindelik gelei het tot die afsterf van wingerde, is waargeneem, wat die sensitiwiteit van Chardonnay teenoor wingerdvergeling infeksie bevestig. Simptoomlose astervergeling fitoplasma infeksies kom voor en astervergeling fitoplasma kon nie opgespoor word in alle simptomatiese wingerdstokke nie, wat op oneweredige verspreiding van AY fitoplasma in individuele wingerdstokke dui. Molekulêre ontledings met behulp van PKR-RFLP het getoon dat alle wingerdstokke, wat in die Vredendal omgewing getoets is, slegs astervergeling fitoplasma bevat. Geen fitoplasmas was teenwoordig in enige onkruide of ander moontlike gasheer plante. Hoewel die gemiddelde jaarlikse siekte voorkoms van Chardonnay (29,95%) en Chenin Blanc (16,64%) oor die vier-jaar opname periode hoër was as dié van Pinotage (5,80%), was daar geen statisties beduidende verskil tussen die siekte voorkoms van hierdie drie kultivars nie. Die gemiddelde jaarlikse siekte voorkoms het 'n tendens oor tyd getoon, en die siekte voorkoms van die eerste jaar was betekenisvol laer as dié van die ander jare. Chardonnay het ‘n kumulatiewe siekte voorkoms van 37.77% aan die einde van die 4-jaar studie getoon, wat beteken dat Chardonnay wingerde binne 10 jaar 100% besmet kan wees met AY. Verspreidingspatrone van AY geaffekteerde wingerdstokke was meestal nie-ewekansig met bondeling van geaffekteerde wingerdstokke in en oor wingerd rye. Bondeling van AY geaffekteerde wingerdstokke het, met die uitsondering van een wingerd, meestal op die kant van wingerde aanliggend aan besmette wingerde, voorgekom. Die epidemiologiese studie gee 'n aanduiding van die sensitiwiteit van die verskillende kultivars ten opsigte van AY, die tempo van die verspreiding en die toekomstige impak van die siekte op die Suid-Afrikaanse wynbedryf. Dit dra ook waardevolle inligting by tot die ontwikkeling van 'n strategie vir die bestuur van wingerdvergeling siekte in Suid-Afrikaanse wingerde.

Las enfermedades de la madera se encuentran entre las patologías más dañinas que afectan al cultivo de la vid. El pie negro es una de las más destacadas, afectando a las plantas en vivero y en plantaciones jóvenes. Los agentes causales están incluidos dentro de los géneros Campylocarpon, ¿Cylindrocarpon¿, Cylindrocladiella e Ilyonectria. Éstos se caracterizan por ser habitantes del suelo y, se ha demostrado que permanecen en él, infectando al material de propagación cultivado en campos de vivero. La presencia de hongos asociados al pie negro en vivero, así como sus fuentes potenciales de inóculo en suelos de vivero y de viñedos comerciales, no han sido nunca estudiados en España. En este sentido, el objetivo de esta Tesis ha sido estudiar la epidemiología de hongos que causan el pie negro de la vid en España. En primer lugar, las distintas fases del proceso viverístico se evaluaron como fuentes potenciales de inóculo de estos patógenos. Se tomaron muestras en cuatro fases del proceso de propagación de las que se extrajo el ADN, detectándose las especies causantes del pie negro de la vid mediante multiplex, nested PCR. En las fases estudiadas se detectaron I. liriodendri y el complejo I. macrodidyma. También se estudió la detección de especies de Ilyonectria en material de propagación de vid, antes y después de la fase de enraizamiento en campos de vivero, mediante técnicas de aislamiento y multiplex, nested PCR. Este estudio confirmó que el número de plantas infectadas con estos patógenos aumenta durante el proceso de enraizamiento en campos de vivero. Ilyonectria torresensis fue la única especie aislada de las plantas tras la inducción del callo. Sin embargo, las especies I. liriodendri, I. novozelandica e I. torresensis se aislaron frecuentemente tras el período de cultivo en campos de vivero. Respecto a la detección molecular, se detectaron un número elevado de muestras positivas en planta tras la inducción del callo y después del proceso de enraizamiento. Mediante el uso de cuatro técnicas diferentes, aislamiento fúngico a partir de raíces de plántulas de vid utilizadas como plantas trampa, aislamiento a partir de raíces de malas hierbas, multiplex, nested PCR y qPCR, se estudió el suelo de campos de plantas madre como fuente de inóculo de estos patógenos. De las raíces de plantas trampa se aislaron las especies I. alcacerensis, I. macrodidyma, I. novozelandica e I. torresensis. ¿Cylindrocarpon¿ macrodidymum fue la única especie aislada de las raíces de malas hierbas. En los análisis de suelos realizados mediante multiplex, nested PCR así como mediante qPCR se observó un elevado porcentaje de detección del complejo I. macrodidyma en muestras de ADN de suelo, mientras que el porcentaje de detección de I. liriodendri fue menor. Las mismas técnicas descritas para campos de plantas madre se utilizaron para estudiar los suelos de campos de vivero y de viñedos comerciales. Los resultados obtenidos en estos dos tipos de campos fueron similares a los obtenidos en campos de plantas madre. Finalmente, se estudió el efecto de la temperatura, pH y potencial osmótico (¿s) sobre el crecimiento miceliar, la esporulación y la producción de clamidosporas de ¿C.¿ liriodendri, ¿C.¿ macrodidymum y ¿C.¿ pauciseptatum, con el objetivo de mejorar el conocimiento de los factores que afectan al crecimiento, reproducción y supervivencia de estos patógenos. Todos los aislados estudiados crecieron en un rango de temperaturas comprendido entre 5 y 30ºC. Se observó crecimiento miceliar en un rango de pH comprendido entre 4 y 8. Respecto al efecto del ¿s, el crecimiento miceliar fue mejor en medio de cultivo PDA ajustado a -0,5, -1,0 y/o -2,0 MPa en comparación con el crecimiento miceliar observado en PDA sin ajustar a ningún ¿s (-0,3 MPA). La mayoría de los aislados de ¿Cylindrocarpon¿ esporularon a todas las temperaturas, pHs y valores de ¿s estudiados. En general, la producción de clamidosporas no se vio afectada por la temperatura, el pH y el ¿s.
Agustí Brisach, C. (2013). Studies on the epidemiology of black-foot disease of grapevine in Spain [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/27598
TESIS

In order to aid the booming wine industry in the state of Virginia, U.S.A., we developed a series of studies to provide a deeper understanding of the viruses and vectors for management of virus diseases and development of better tools for grapevine virus diagnostics. A statewide survey for 14 different grapevine viruses between 2009 and 2014 was conducted: 721 samples were collected from 116 vineyards in the period. Among the 12 viruses identified, Grapevine leafroll associated virus-3 (GLRaV-3), Grapevine rupestris stem-pitting associated virus (GRSPaV), and Grapevine red blotch-associated virus (GRBaV) were most commonly present. A new real-time PCR method for the detection of the V2 gene of GRBaV was developed. The resulting method takes less time for more accurate diagnostics than conventional PCR. Evaluation of insecticide effectiveness on GLRaV-3 vectors (mealybugs) and the spread of GLRaV-3 were examined: Four trials conducted from 2012 to 2014 revealed that despite successful control of mealybugs, GLRaV-3 is spread at a very rapid rate. A new sampling technique for efficient nucleic acid storage and testing was developed: the nitrocellulose membrane-based method allows simpler extraction of nucleic acid and provides a storage medium that can hold viable RNA/DNA at room temperature for up to 18 months. An investigation of multiple virus-infected vines and the impact of these co-infections on grapevine fruit chemistry was conducted. GLRaV-3, GRBaV, GRSPaV, and co-infections of the 3 all negatively impacted Brix, pH, titratable acidity, and anthocyanin levels.
Ph. D.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Petri disease and esca are devastating grapevine trunk diseases and compromise the sustainability of viticulture world-wide. Despite being extensively studied, knowledge of inoculum sources and mechanisms of spread of the causal pathogens is limited. Arthropods have been suspected to play a role in the spread of Petri disease and esca pathogens. However, little information is known about the extent to which arthropods are associated with these pathogens. This study aimed to determine whether arthropods occurring within or on declining grapevines, are associated with trunk disease pathogens and to identify arthropods associated with pruning wounds. The potential of selected arthropods to act as vectors of trunk disease pathogens was also investigated. Two vineyards exhibiting grapevine trunk disease infections were sampled weekly for two years for collection of arthropods. Arthropods were collected using pruning wound traps, visual searches as well as trunk and cordon traps. Fungal spores from surfaces of arthropods were collected in water. Samples were subjected to nested PCR using primers Pm1/Pm2 and Pch1/Pch2 to verify the presence of Phaeoacremonium spp. and Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, respectively. Water samples were also cultured and grapevine trunk disease pathogens obtained were identified by sequencing the internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 and the 5.8S rRNA gene or the partial beta-tubulin gene. A total of 10 875 arthropod individuals, belonging to more than 31 families, were collected from declining grapevines. The most abundant arthropods included millipedes, ants, spiders and beetles. Portuguese millipedes and cocktail ants were associated with fresh grapevine pruning wounds. Thirty-three percent of the 5677 water samples analysed, contained propagules of pathogens associated with Petri disease and esca. Of these, 37 % were recovered from millipedes, 22 % from cocktail ants, 15 % from spiders and 10 % from beetles. All the major groups of grapevine trunk diseases were detected on the arthropods. Phaeoacremonium species were detected in 1242 samples while Phaeomoniella chlamydospora was identified from 855 samples. Other fungi isolated included members of the Botryosphaeriaceae, Diatrypaceae and Diaporthales. The potential of grapevine sap as a food source for Portuguese millipedes and cocktail ants was investigated, in vitro. Millipede individuals were offered a choice between water and grapevine sap while ants in nests were presented with grapevine sap, tuna and water and monitored for ingestion of sap. Both taxa preferred grapevine sap over the other food items, indicating close association with pruning wounds. Subsequently, the ability of both taxa to transmit a DsRed-transformed Phaeomoniella chlamydospora isolate to fresh pruning wounds of canes in polystyrene strips, floating in water, and potted vines was tested. Arthropods were exposed to the fungus for 24 hours and transferred to the base of the plants and canes and were removed after three days. Isolations after a month revealed that millipedes and ants were capable of transmitting the fungus onto wounds and cause infection. Millipede faecal pellets were also evaluated as potential sources of inoculum. Millipedes were fed on Phaeomoniella chlamydospora for 24 hours, surface sterilised and allowed to defaecate in sterile Petri dishes overnight. Faecal material was collected, macerated in water and plated onto potato dextrose agar. Propagules of Phaeomoniella chlamydospora survived passage through the gut of millipedes and were passed out in a viable state to form colonies of Phaeomoniella chlamydospora. This study concludes that a wide variety of arthropods can be a source of inoculum of trunk diseases in vineyards. The results of the dissemination trial provides evidence that millipedes and ants are able to disseminate and infect vines with Phaeomoniella chlamydospora. It is therefore, highly likely that other grapevine trunk disease pathogens are transmitted in the same manner. This knowledge highlights the need for control of certain arthropods to be taken into consideration when managing grapevine trunk disease pathogens.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Petri siekte en esca is verwoestende wingerd stamsiektes en verhinder die volhoubaarheid van wingerdproduksie wêreldwyd. Hierdie siektes is al intensief bestudeer, maar kennis rakende die inokulum bronne en meganismes van verspreiding van die veroorsakende patogene is beperk. Arthropoda is al vermoed om ‘n rol te speel in die verspreiding van Petri siekte en esca patogene, maar weinig informasie is bekend oor die mate waartoe arthropoda geassosieer is met die patogene. Hierdie studie het ten doel gestel om die arthropoda wat op of in wingerdstokke wat terugsterf voorkom te identifiseer en te bepaal watter van die arthropoda geassosieer is met stamsiekte patogene. Daar is ook ten doel gestel om die arthropoda wat geassosieer is met vars snoeiwonde te identifiseer en ook die moontlike vektor status van die stamsiekte patogene deur arthropoda. Arthropoda is weekliks vir twee jaar gekollekteer vanaf twee wingerde met stamsiekte infeksies. Snoeiwond lokvalle, visuele soektogte en stam- en kordon lokvalle was gebruik om arthropoda te vang. Swamspore van die oppervlak van die arthropoda is afgewas met water. Van hierdie water monsters is gebruik om dubbelvoudige polimerase ketting reaksies (PKR) te doen met die inleiers Pm1/Pm2 en Pch1/Pch2 om vir die teenwoordigheid van Phaeoacremonium spp. en Phaeomoniella chlamydospora onderskeidelik te toets. Die oorblywende water monster is gekweek op medium om die swamme teenwoordig te bepaal. Die wingerd stamsiekte patogene is verder geidentifiseer deur die DNS volgordes te bepaal van die interne getranskribeerde spasies 1 en 2 en die 5.8S rRNS geen of ‘n gedeelte van die beta-tubulien geen. In totaal is 10 875 arthropoda, wat behoort tot 31 families, gekollekteer vanaf wingerde wat terugsterf. Die mees algemene arthropoda was duisendpote, miere, spinnekoppe en kewers. Die Portugese duisendpote en die wipstert mier is geassosieer met vars wingerd snoeiwonde. Van die 5677 water monsters wat geanaliseer is, het 33% propagules van die Petri siekte of esca patogene gehad. Van hierdie was 37 % afkomstig vanaf duisendpote, 22 % van wipstert miere, 15 % van spinnekoppe en 10 % van kewers. Al die hoofgroepe van wingerd stampatogene is opgespoor op die arthropoda. Phaeoacremonium species is opgespoor in 1242 monsters en Phaeomoniella chlamydospora is gevind in 855 monsters. Ander swamme wat ook geisoleer is sluit lede van die Botryosphaeriaceae, Diatrypaceae en Diaporthales in. Die potensiaal van wingerdsap as ‘n bron van voedsel vir Portugese duisendpote en wipstert miere is in vitro ondersoek. Duisendpoot invidue is ‘n keuse gegee tussen water en wingerd sap terwyl mierneste ‘n keuse gehad het tussen water, wingerd sap en tuna. Die duisendpote en miere is gemonitor vir die inname van wingerdsap in die teenwoordigheid van die ander bronne. Beide die duisendpote en miere het wingerdsap verkies wat aandui dat hulle ‘n noue assosiasie met wingerd snoeiwonde het. Vervolgens is beide taksons getoets vir hul vermoë om ‘n DsRooi-getransformeerde Phaeomoniella chlamydospora isolaat te vektor na vars snoeiwonde op lote gemonteer op polistireen stroke wat in water dryf en op wingerd plante in potte. Die duisendpote en miere is blootgestel aan die swam vir 24 uur en oorgedra na die basis van die plante en lote en is weer verwyder na drie dae. Na ‘n maand is isolasies gedoen wat gewys het dat die duisendpote en miere die swam suksesvol kon oordra na die snoeiwonde en infeksie veroorsaak. Duisendpoot uitwerpsels is geëvalueer vir die potensiaal as inokulum bron. Duisendpote het gevoed op Phaeomoniella chlamydospora vir 24 uur, daarna oppervlakkig gesteriliseer en toegelaat om oornag uitwerpsels te maak in steriele Petri bakkies. Uitwerpsels was gekollekteer, fyngemaak in water en op aartappel dekstrose agar uitgeplaat. Propagules van Phaeomoniella chlamydospora het die verteringskanaal van die duisendpote oorleef en het tipiese kolonies op die agar gevorm. Hierdie studie het vasgestel dat ‘n verskeidenheid van arthropoda ‘n bron van inokulum van stamsiektes in wingerd kan wees. Die resultate van die vektor proewe het gewys dat duisendpote en miere die vermoë het om Phaeomoniella chlamydospora te versprei na snoeiwonde wat die swam dan suksesvol geinfekteer het. Dit is daarom hoogs waarskynlik dat van die ander wingerd stamsiekte patogene ook versprei kan word op dieselfde manier. Hierdie kennis demonstreer dat die beheer van spesifieke arthropoda in ag geneem moet word in die bestuur van wingerd stamsiektes.
Winetech, Agricultural Research Council of South Africa and NRF for financial support

Thesis (M.S. in plant pathology)--Washington State University, May 2009.
Title from PDF title page (viewed on May 26, 2009). "Department of Plant Pathology." Includes bibliographical references (p. 35-38).

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study on grapevine was to genetically characterise, validate and map the reported fungal disease resistance genes of Pölöskei Muskotály (PM), Kishmish Vatkana (KV) and Villard Blanc (VB) in South Africa using QTL analysis. These fungal resistant parents were crossed with other varieties that have desirable fruit qualities in an effort to combine fungal disease resistance with desirable fruit qualities in a single variety. The genetic basis of PM’s resistance to downy and powdery mildew has not been investigated before. It does however have VB in its pedigree so the assumption was made that the same QTL/genes present in VB contribute to this resistance. KV’s resistance to powdery mildew reportedly originates from the REN1 gene located on chromosome 13. VB’s powdery and downy mildew resistance is conferred by QTL present on chromosome 15 and chromosome 18 respectively and has been reported in numerous studies. The study populations comprised of 124 F1 PM x Regal Seedless plants, 16 F1 PM x G4-3418 plants, 14 F1 PM x Sunred Seedless plants, 158 F1 Sunred Seedless x KV plants and 250 F1 VB x G1-6604 plants. DNA was extracted from the leaves and all plants were screened using microsatellite markers. Phenotypic evaluations of downy and/or powdery mildew resistance were performed on the appropriate populations. The molecular data was used to generate linkage maps and combined with phenotypic data to perform QTL analysis. From the molecular data generated for the three PM populations it was determined that the F1 progeny inherited almost exclusively maternal alleles, and could not be used in a mapping study. These populations were eliminated from the study and PM will be used as a pollen donor in future. Molecular data from the Sunred Seedless x KV cross was used to generate a linkage map for chromosome 13 comprising eight markers and spanning 45.6 cM. When combined with the data from two powdery mildew phenotypic screens a QTL peak spanning the REN1 gene on chromosome 13 of KV was identified. This locus explains between 44.8% and 57.7% of the phenotypic variance observed. The molecular data from the VB x G1-6604 cross was used to generate partial linkage maps for chromosome 15 and 18. Eleven markers were mapped on chromosome 15 spanning 56.4 cM, and ten markers were mapped on chromosome 18 spanning 101.8 cM. When the chromosome 15 linkage map was combined with the data from two powdery mildew phenotypic screens a QTL associated with powdery mildew resistance was identified on chromosome 15 that explains between 18.9% and 23.9% of the phenotypic variance observed. Likewise a QTL associated with downy mildew resistance was identified on chromosome 18 when the chromosome 18 linkage map was combined with data from two downy mildew phenotypic screens. This QTL explains between 19.1% and 21.2% of the phenotypic variance observed. This study succeeded in genetically characterising the fungal disease resistance genes of two different sources of grapevine and provided exclusionary information on a third resistance source for future breeding applications.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie in wingerd was om die genetiese komponent van die swamweerstandsgene van Pölöskei Muskotály (PM), Kishmish Vatkana (KV) and Villard Blanc (VB) in Suid-Afrika te karakteriseer en die teenwoordigheid daarvan te bevestig deur ʼn Kwantitatiewe Eienskap Lokus (KEL) benadering te volg. In ʼn poging om swamweerstand en goeie vrugeienskappe te kombineer in ʼn enkel variëteit is die weerstandige variëteite met vatbare variëteite gekruis wat goeie vrugeienskappe besit. Die genetiese basis van PM se weerstand teen donsskimmel en witroes is nog nie vantevore bestudeer nie. VB is een van sy voorgeslagte en daar is aangeneem dat dieselfde KEL/gene waarskynlik verantwoordelik is vir die weerstand. Dit is gerapporteer dat KV se witroesweerstand afkomstig is van die REN1 geen op chromosoom 13. Vele publikasies rapporteer VB se weerstand teen witroes en donsskimmel Beide die witroes- en donsskimmelweerstand word oorgedra deur KEL teenwoordig op chromosome 15 en 18 onderskeidelik. Die populasies gebruik in hierdie studie het bestaan uit 124 F1 PM x Regal Seedless plante, 16 F1 PM x G4-3418 plante, 14 F1 PM x Sunred Seedless, 158 F1 Sunred Seedless x KV plante en 250 F1 VB x G1-6604 plante onderskeidelik. Blare is versamel vir DNS isolasie en genotipering met mikrosatellietmerkers. Al drie populasies se weerstand teen donsskimmel en/of witroes is fenotipies geëvalueer. Die molekulêre data is gebruik om genetiese koppelingskaarte op te stel en gekombineer met die fenotipiese data om KEL analise uit te voer. Die molekulêre data van die drie PM populasies het daarop gedui dat die F1 nageslag amper uitsluitlik moederlike allele geërf het en kon gevolglik nie gebruik word in die studie nie. Die PM populasies is uitgesluit uit hierdie studie en PM sal voortaan as stuifmeelskenker gebruik word. Molekulêre data van die Sunred Seedless x KV kruising is gebruik om ʼn koppelingskaart vir chromosoom 13 op te stel wat 45.6 cM lank is en agt merkers bevat. Die KEL analise van die koppelingskaart en twee fenotipiese datastelle vir witroes het ʼn KEL piek geïdentifiseer wat oor die lengte van die REN1 geen-interval strek. Hierdie lokus is verantwoordelik vir 44.8% tot 57.7% van die fenotipiese variasie wat waargeneem word. Molekulêre data van die VB x G1-6604 kruising is gebruik om gedeeltelike koppelingskaarte vir chromosome 15 en 18 op te stel. Elf merkers karteer op die chromosoom 15 kaart van 56.4 cM en tien merkers karteer op die chromosoom 18 kaart van 101.8 cM. KEL analise van chromosoom 15 se koppelingskaart en twee witroes fenotipiese datastelle het ʼn KEL geïdentifiseer wat 18.9% tot 23.9% van die fenotipiese variasie verduidelik. ʼn KEL is ook op chromosoom 18 geïdentifiseer wat 19.1% tot 21.2% van die fenotipiese variasie verduidelik met die gekombineerde analise van chromosoom 18 se koppelingskaart en twee donsskimmel fenotipiese datastelle. Hierdie studie het die genetiese komponent van die swamweerstandsgene van twee Vitis variëteite suksesvol gekarakteriseer en bevestig. Waardevolle telingsinligting oor die derde variëteit is ook onthul.

By increasing fruit exposure to sunlight and influencing fruit development, leaf thinning in the fruit zone can improve grape quality and lower disease incidence; however, further investigations on the timing, varietal response and intensity are needed to optimize results and to better understand underlying physiologic responses. Fruit zone leaf thinning was applied at different timing and intensities to evaluate its effect on cluster health and fruit composition in Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Treatments consisted of control (C), pre-bloom leaf thinning (PB) and two levels of fruit-set leaf thinning (three leaves, PF3 and six leaves, PF6). In an additional project on Cabernet Sauvignon, two levels of hedging (17th node, NH and 12th node, H) were integrated with no leaf thinning (L) and fruit set leaf thinning (LR, three leaves). All leaf thinning treatments consistently reduced disease incidence compared to control vines in both varieties, with the reduction extent varying between 2017 and 2018. Yield was not negatively affected by leaf thinning treatments, even though PB reduced cluster compactness by decreasing the number of berries per cluster of Chardonnay in 2017. Control vines tended to have greater titratable acidity than defoliated vines, while Brix and pH responses varied between seasons. No direct positive correlation was found between sunlight exposure and norisoprenoids concentration. Post fruit set leaf thinning PF6 consistently increase free norisoprenoids at harvest, while pre-bloom defoliation never did. Heterogeneous responses were observed for bound and total norisoprenoids. In Cabernet Sauvignon free, bound and total 1,1,6-trimethyl-1,2-dihydronaphtalene (TDN) was consistently increased by PF3. Hedging negatively influenced Brix and anthocyanins accumulation in 2017, and increased free norisoprenoids while decreasing the bound and total fraction. Results revealed that a high level of stress possiblt caused by excess sunlight and/or reduced photosynthesis might negatively affect norisoprenoids glycosylation.
Master of Science in Life Science

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2000.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Ribosome inactivating proteins (RIPs) are potent toxins produced by a wide range of evolutionarily diverse plants. These toxins cause cell death by physically dismantling ribosomal RNA and shutting down protein synthesis. They also have a strong antiviral activity. Some believe that the antiviral property of RIPs is a function of ribosomal inactivation, others believe that the two properties are unrelated. RIPs are non-specific in their antiviral activity. Transgenic RIPexpressing plants are resistant to a wide spectrum of viruses. Many different viruses threaten grapevine. It is not practical to design individual remedies for each of these viruses. In this study, we screen the grapevine genome for the presence of a RIP gene using degenerate PCR primers. If a RIP gene does exist in grapevine, it is not being expressed in a useful way. We also clone several well-documented RIP genes from various plants into pGEM-T Easy: dianthin from Dianthus caryophyllus; p-Iuffin from Luffa octandra and mirabilis antiviral protein (MAP) from Mirabilis jalapa. These isolated genes are then subcloned into a selection of expression vectors: dianthin into pKK223-3, a bacterial expression vector; p-Iuffin into pCambia3301, a plant expression vector; and MAP into pFLAG, a yeast expression vector. The constructs prepared in this project may be used for the synthesis of RIP molecules. The exogenous application of RIPs has been shown to protect plants from viruses. Transformation of grapevine with the RIP-containing plant expression vector may result in a variety of vine that is resistant to a wide range viruses. This thesis describes preliminary work in an attempt to impart broad-spectrum antiviral resistance to grapevine.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Ribosomale-inaktiverende proteïne (RIPs) is kragtige toksienes wat deur 'n wye verskeidenheid evolusionêr diverse plante verskaf word. Hierdie toksienes veroorsaak die dood van die selle deur fisies die ribosomale RNA af te breek en proteïensintese stop te sit. Hulle toon ook 'n sterk antivirale aktiwiteit. Sommige voel dat die antivirale eienskap van RIPs 'n funksie van ribosomale inaktivering is, terwyl ander glo dat die twee eienskappe onafhanklik optree. RIPs is in hul antivirale aktiwiteit onspesifiek. Transgeniese RIP-weergewende plante toon weerstand teen 'n wye spektrum virusse. Wingerd word deur baie verskillende virusse aangeval. Dit is onprakties om spesifieke teenmiddels vir elk van die virusse te ontwerp. In hierdie studie word die wingerdgenoom vir die voorkoms van 'n RIP-geen ondersoek, deur die gebruik van degeneratiewe PKR primers. As daar wel 'n RIP-geen in wingerd voorkom, word dit nie in 'n nuttige manier uitgedruk nie. Ons het ook 'n groep goedgedokumentêre RIP-gene vanuit verskeie plante in pGEM- T Easy gekloneer: dianthin vanuit Dianthus caryophyllus; p-Iuffin vanuit Luffa octandra; en mirabilis antivirale proteïen (MAP) vanuit Mirabilis jalapa. Hierdie geïsoleerde gene is toe in verskeie uitdrukkingsvektore gesubkloneer: dianthin in pKK223-3, 'n bakterïele uitdrukkingsvektor; p-Iuffin in pCambia3301, 'n plant uitdrukkingsvektor; en MAP in pFLAG, 'n gis uitdrukkingsvektor. Die constructs wat in hierdie projek voorberei is, kan gebruik word vir die sintese van RIP molekules. Dit is gevind dat die eksogeniese toepassing van RIPs plante teen virus-infeksie beskerm. Die transformasie van wingerd met die RIP-bevattende plant ekspressievektor kan 'n wingerd wat teen 'n wye verskeidenheid virusse bestand is tot stand bring. Hierdie tesis beskryf die voorlopige werk in 'n poging om breë-spektrum antivirale weerstand in wingerd deelagtig te maak.

One of the global and most economically significant viral disease of grape cultivation is grapevine-leafroll disease (GLD). Viruses associated with GLD are known as grapevine leafroll associated viruses (GLRaVs) and numbered in order of discovery, with the most important one being GLRaV-3. Viti- and Foveaviruses are often also often found in mixed infections with GLD, and speculation exists regarding a codependence of transmission of some Vitiviruses with GLRaV-3. As with most grapevine growing countries, many strains of GLRaVs, Viti- and Foveavirus are present in South Africa. A local certification scheme exists with the objective of providing grapevine scion and rootstock material free of these viruses to farmers. Rootstocks show no GLD symptoms thus making visual diagnostics impossible. Furthermore, it is generally accepted that GLRaV-3 is difficult to test for in rootstocks than in scions, possibly due to uneven distribution and low viral titre in rootstocks. It is however also possible that rootstocks select for specific strains of GLRaV-3 which may be less amenable to the detection technique. The difficulty in detection of GLRaV-3 could result in unwitting infection of healthy scion material by infected rootstock material during grafting. To gain greater insight into the detection of GLRaV-3 detection in rootstocks both rootstock and scion tissue were sampled separately from 95 grapevine individuals and tested using a broad spectrum PCR protocol directed at a highly conserved primer binding sequence flanking a highly variable region of the GLRaV-3 helicase gene. Amplicons of scion and rootstocks of 22 vines were subjected to Illumina next generation sequencing to determine the composition of the GLRaV-3 variant population. Poor detection (43% of samples) at low amplicon levels were obtained for GLRaV-3 in primarily R99 rootstock compared to the corresponding scions (GLRaV-3 detected in 93% of the scions samples) and corroborated the perceived poor detection of this virus in at least R99. We also determined that poor detection of GLRaV-3 is not due to the presence of a PCRinhibitory substance in rootstocks as we obtained high levels of amplicons of Vitiand Foveaviruses associated with the rootstocks of GLD infected vines. This was achieved using universal degenerate primer nested RT-PCR combined with Illumina next generation sequencing of the resulting amplicons. Confirmation tests were performed using Vitivirus specific primers to determine the identity of the unidentified Viti- and Foveaviruses found. Direct Sanger sequencing was used on 37 rootstock samples and 20 corresponding scion samples. Viti- and Foveaviruses were significantly less detected (61%) in rootstocks than corresponding scions (82%). The dominant component of the viral population was shown to differ between samples, with Grapevine virus B (GVB) and Grapevine rupestris stem pitting associated virus (GRSPaV) only found dominant in rootstocks. NGS data exhibited that the largest amount of the total reads belonged to GVB (44%), though no pattern could be differentiated between differing rootstocks. This is the most comprehensive study done on the viruses associated with GLD in rootstocks in South Africa, and will contribute to improve the certification scheme.
Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2017.
Microbiology and Plant Pathology
MSc
Unrestricted

Thesis (PhD (Genetics))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is a very important agricultural commodity that needs to be protected. To achieve this several in vivo tools are needed for the study of this crop and the pathogens that infect it. Recently the grapevine genome has been sequenced and the next important step will be gene annotation and function using these in vivo tools. In this study the use of Grapevine virus A (GVA), genus Vitivirus, family Flexiviridae, as transient expression and VIGS vector for heterologous protein expression and functional genomics in Nicotiana benthamiana and V. vinifera were evaluated. Full-length genomic sequences of three South African variants of the virus (GTR1-1, GTG11-1 and GTR1-2) were generated and used in a molecular sequence comparison study. Results confirmed the separation of GVA variants into three groups, with group III (mild variants) being the most distantly related. It showed the high molecular heterogeneity of the virus and that ORF 2 was the most diverse. The GVA variants GTG11-1, GTR1-2 and GTR1-1 were placed in molecular groups I, II and III respectively. A collaboration study investigating the molecular divergence of GVA variants linked to Shiraz disease (SD), described two interesting GVA variants of group II, namely GTR1-2 and P163-M5 (Goszczynski et al., 2008). The group II variants were found to be closely linked to the expression of SD. GTR1-2 was isolated from a susceptible grapevine plant that never showed SD symptoms (Goszczynski 2007). The P163-M5 variant that resulted in exceedingly severe symptoms in N. benthamiana and is that used as SD positive control by the grapevine industry, was found to contain a 119 nt insert within the native ORF2. Comparative analysis performed on the complete nt and aa sequences of group II GVA variants suggested that the components in the GVA genome that cause pathogenicity in V. vinifera are more complex (or different) to those that cause pathogenicity in N. benthamiana. The three South African variants (GTR1-1, GTG11-1 and GTR1-2) were assembled into fulllength cDNA clones under control of CaMV 35S promoters. After several strategies were attempted, including a population cloning strategy for GTR1-2, none of the clones generated were able to replicate in N. benthamiana plants. A single amino acid substitution at position 13 (Tyr/Y Cys/C) in ORF 5 of the GTR1-2 cDNA clone was shown to abolish or reduce replication of the virus to below a detectable level. Two infectious clones of Israeli variants of GVA (T7-GVA-GR5 and T7-GVA118, obtained from M. Mawassi) were brought under control of a CaMV 35S promoter (35S-GVA-GR5 and 35S-GVA118). Both clones were infectious, able to replicate, move systemically and induce typical GVA symptoms after agroinfiltration in N. benthamiana. These Israeli clones served as backbone for further experiments in characterisation of transient expression and VIGS vectors. The use of GVA as gene insertion vector (35S-GVA118) and gene exchange vector (35S-GVA-GR5- ORF2+sgMP) in N. benthamiana and V. vinifera was compared. The gene insertion vector, 35S-GVA118 was based on the full-length GVA genome. The gene exchange vector, 35SGVA- GR5- ORF2+sgMP, was constructed in this study by elimination of ORF 2 and insertion of a sgMP and unique restriction sites to facilitate transgene insertion. In N. benthamiana both vectors showed similar GUS expression levels and photobleaching symptoms upon virus-induced NbPDS silencing. In V. vinifera limited GUS expression levels and VIGS photobleaching symptoms were observed for the gene insertion vector, 35SGVA118. No GUS expression was observed for the gene exchange vector 35S-GVA-GR5- ORF2+sgMP in this host. As for silencing, one plant, agroinfiltrated with 35S-GVA-GR5- ORF2-VvPDS+sgMP, developed photobleaching symptoms in 3 systemic infected leaves after 4 months. This study showed that GVA can be used as gene insertion and gene exchange vector for expression and VIGS in N. benthamiana, but in grapevine its use is limited to expression and silencing of genes in the phloem tissue. It is also the first report that ORF 2 of GVA is not needed for long distance movement in grapevine. To investigate the possible role of the P163-M5 119 nt insertion and the GVA ORF 2 (of unknown function), in expression of symptoms in plants, ORF 2 of a 35S-GVA-GR5 cDNA clone was removed and subsequently substituted by the corresponding ORFs of four South African GVA variants. Upon agro-infiltration into N. benthamiana leaves, all chimaeric GVA constructs were able to move systemically through the plant. At this stage no correlation could be found between severity of symptoms, the presence of the P163-M5 insert and the specific GVA ORF 2 present in the chimaeras, indicating that other factors in the viral genome or the host plant probably play a crucial role. This study contributed to the pool of available in vivo tools for study and improvement of the valuable grapevine crop. It also opened several exciting research avenues to pursue in the near future.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Wingerd (Vitis vinifera L.) is ‘n baie belangrike landboukundige gewas wat beskerm moet word. Om die rede word verskeie in vivo gereedskap vir die bestudering van die wingerdplant, en die patogene wat dit infekteer benodig. Die wingerd genoom se volgorde is bepaal en dus is die volgende logiese stap om die gene te annoteer en funksie daaraan toe te skryf. In hierdie studie is die gebruik van Grapevine virus A (GVA), genus Vitivirus, familie Flexiviridae, as tydelike uitdrukking- en virus-geinduseerde geenuitdowingsvektor vir heteroloë proteïen uitdrukking en funksionele genoomstudies in Nicotiana benthamiana en V. Vinifera getoets. Vollengte genoomvolgordes van drie Suid-Afrikaanse variante van die virus (GTR1-1, GTG11-1 en GTR1-2) is gegenereer en in ‘n molekulêre volgorde vergelyking studie gebruik. Resultate het die verdeling van GVA variante in drie groepe, waar groep III die verste verwant is, bevestig. Dit het ook gewys dat die virus ‘n baie hoë molekulêre heterogeniteit het en dat oopleesraam 2 (ORF 2) die mees divers is. ‘n Samewerking studie waar die molekulêre diversiteit van GVA variante, gekoppel aan Shiraz siekte (SD), ondersoek is, is twee interessante variante van groep II beskryf, naamlik GTR1-2 en P163-M5 (Goszczynski et al., 2008). Groep II variante is vooraf gevind om nou verwant te wees aan die ontwikkeling van SD in wingerd. Die GTR1-2 variant is uit ’n vatbare wingerd plant, wat nooit SD-simptome vertoon het nie, geïsoleer (Goszczynski et al., 2007). In die ORF 2 van die P163-M5 variant, wat simptome van die ergste graad in N. benthamiana geïnduseer het, en ook deur die industrie as betroubare SD-positiewe kontrole gebruik word, is ’n 119 nt invoeging gevind. Die vergelykende analise wat uitgevoer is, het daarop gedui dat die determinante van patogenisiteit in die GVA genoom moontlik meer kompleks kan wees in V. vinifera as in N. benthamiana. Die drie Suid-Afrikaanse variante (GTR1-1, GTG11-1 en GTR1-2) is in afsonderlike vollengte cDNA klone, onder beheer van CaMV 35S promotors, aanmekaargesit. Nadat verskeie kloneringstrategieë, insluitend ’n populasie kloneringstrategie vir die GTR1-2 kloon, gebruik is, het geen een van die cDNA klone die vermoë besit om in N. benthamiana te repliseer nie. ’n Enkele aminosuur substitusie in posisie 13 (Tyr/Y Cys/C) in ORF 5 van die GTR1-2 kloon, het die replisering van die virus tot laer as ’n opspoorbare vlak verlaag. Twee infektiewe klone van Israeliese GVA variante (T7-GVAGR5 en T7-GVA118, verkry van M. Mawassi) is onder beheer van ‘n CaMV 35S promotor geplaas (35S-GVA-GR5 and 35S-GVA118). Beide klone het na agro-infiltrasie in N. benthamiana plante gerepliseer, sistemies beweeg en tipiese GVA simptome geinduseer. Hierdie twee klone het as raamwerk gedien vir verdere eksperimente in karakterisering van tydelike uitdrukkings- en VIGS vektore. Die gebruik van GVA as geen-insvoegingsvektor (35S-GVA118) en geen-vervangingsvektor (35S-GVA-GR5- ORF2+sgMP) is in N. benthamiana en V. vinifera vergelyk. Die geen-invoegingsvektor 35S-GVA118, was op die vollengte GVA genoom gebasseer. Die geen-vervangingsvektor 35S-GVA-GR5- ORF2+sgMP, was in hierdie studie gekonstrueer. Dit is gemaak eerstens deur eliminasie van ORF 2 in die 35S-GVA-GR5 kloon, en tweedens deur die invoeging van ’n subgenomiese promotor van die beweginsproteïen (sgMP) en unieke beperkings-ensiemsetels om klonering van transgene te fasiliteer. Beide vektore het in N. benthamiana vergelykbare GUS uitdrukkingsvlakke en fotobleikende simptome getoon na virus-geinduseerde NbPDS uitdowing. In V. Vinifera is beperkte GUS uitdrukkingsvlakke en VIGS fotobleikende simptome opgemerk met die geen-invoegingsvektor, 35S-GVA118. Geen GUS uitdrukking is in hierdie gasheerplant met die geen-vervangingsvektor opgemerk nie. Slegs een wingerdplant het fotobleikende simptome, na 4 maande in 3 sistemies geïnfekteerde blare gewys, na agroinfiltrasie van die 35S-GVA-GR5- ORF2-VvPDS+sgMP konstruk. Hierdie studie het bevestig dat GVA as geen-invoeging en geen-vervangingsvektor, vir heteroloë proteïenuitdrukking en VIGS, in N. benthamiana gebruik kan word, maar dit blyk of die gebruik daarvan in wingerd meer tot die floeëm weefsel beperk is. Hierdie studie wys vir die eerste keer dat ORF 2 nie nodig is vir langafstand beweging van die virus in wingerd nie. Om die moontlike rol van die P163-M5 119 nt invoeging en die GVA ORF 2 (met onbekende funksie), in die uitdrukking van simptome in plante te ondersoek, is ORF 2 van die 35SGVA- GR5 cDNA kloon verwyder en daaropvolgens vervang met die ooreenstemmende ORFs van vier Suid-Afrikaanse GVA variante. Na agro-infiltrasie in N. benthamiana blare, het al die chimeras die vermoë gehad om te repliseer, sistemies te beweeg en simptome te induseer. Geen korrelasie kon gevind word tussen die graad van simptome, die teenwoordigheid van die P163-M5 insersie en die spesifieke GVA ORF 2 teenwoordig in die chimeras nie, wat dus daarop dui dat ander faktore in die virusgenoom of die gasheerplant `n moontlike belangrike rol kan speel. Hierdie studie het bygedrae tot die beskikbare poel van in vivo gereedskap vir die bestudering en verbetering van die kosbare wingerdgewas. Dit het ook talle interessante navorsingsgeleenthede oopgemaak om in die nabye toekoms te betree.

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2000.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Grapevine leafroll is one of the most damaging viral diseases that affect many viticultural regions of the world. Numerous reports over the last few years have associated closterovirus-like particles with leafroll disease. To date, eight serologically distinct closteroviruses have been isolated from leafroll infected vines, of which grapevine leafroll associated closterovirus-3 (GLRaV-3) is the best characterized. Virus resistance in transgenic plants based on the expression of a virusderived gene is known as pathogen-derived resistance. The viral coat protein (CP) gene, which expresses a structural protein responsible for coating the virus particles, was used in the first demonstration of virus-derived resistance. Coat protein-mediated resistance is currently the most feasible and most widely used method to obtain virus resistance in crop plants. The CP gene of a South African isolate of GLRaV-3 infected grapevine was isolated, cloned and sequenced. Double stranded RNA (dsRNA) was extracted from GLRaV-3 infected material and a high molecular weight band, of -18 kb was identified from infected vines. The dsRNA was used as a template in a reverse transcription PCR together with GLRaV-3 CP gene specific primers for the amplification of the GLRaV-3 CP gene (975 bp). The GLRaV-3 CP gene was cloned into the pGem®-T Easy vector. Clones hosting the CP gene in the sense (pLR3CP+) and antisense (pLR3CP-) orientations respectively were obtained. The sequence obtained from these two clones showed 99.26 % similarity to the only other GLRaV-3 CP nucleotide sequence available. The GLRaV-3 CP gene was excised from pLR3CP+ and pLR3CP- and subcloned into a plant expression vector, pCAMBIA 3301 in the sense (pCamBLR3CP+) and antisense (pCamBLR3CP-) orientations respectively, therefore enabling sense and antisense gene expression in transgenic plants. The GLRaV-3 CP gene was also subcloned from pCamBLR3CP+ into another plant expression vector, pCAMBIA 2301 in the sense orientation and designated as pCVSLR3CP+. These three constructs were given to Dr. M. Vivier (Institute for Wine Biotechnology, Stellenbosch) for grapevine transformation experiments. Two of these constructs, pCamBLR3CP+ and pCamBLR3CP- as well as pCAMBIA 3301 were used to transform Nicotiana tabacum by Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. Plants were selected for their ability to withstand the herbicide, Basta. This resistance is due to the presence of a plant selectable marker gene on each of these constructs, known as the bar gene. PCR with GLRaV-3 CP gene specific primers showed no amplification of the GLRaV-3 CP gene in the plants transformed with pCamBLR3CP+ and pCamBLR3CP-. Southern blot analysis with the GLRaV-3 CP gene as hybridization probe showed no signal for these plants, thus confirming the PCR results. PCR with bar gene specific primers showed no amplification of the bar gene in the plants infected with pCAMBIA 3301. The plants transformed with pCamBLR3CP+ and pCamBLR3CP- were also screened for the presence of the bar gene. Three of the eight plants tested showed amplification of the -560 bp bar gene. This result suggests that these plants were transformed with pCAMBIA 3301 (vector without the ligated GLRaV-3 CP gene) and not pCamBLR3CP+ or pCamBLR3CP- as had been expected. This project provides preliminary work for the subsequent transformation of grapevine with the GLRaV-3 CP gene, in an attempt to impart virus resistance.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Wingerd rolblaar is een van die mees beskadigende virale siektes wat baie wingerd areas in die wêreld aantas. In Aantal verslae oor die afgelope jare het closterovirus partikels met wingerd rolblaar geassosieer. Tot hede, is agt serologiese onderskeibare closterovirusse geïsoleer vanuit geaffekteerde wingerde, waarvan wingerd rolblaar geassosieerde closterovirus-3 (GLRaV-3) die beste gekarakteriseerd is. Virus bestandheid in transgeniese plante gebaseer op die uitdrukking van gene afkomstig vanaf virusse, staan bekend as patogeen-afgeleide weerstand. Die virale kapsule protein (CP) geen vervaardig In strukturele protein wat verantwoordelik is vir die bedekking van die virus partikel. Dié geen was gebruik in die eerste demonstrasie van patogeen-afgeleide weerstand. Kapsuul protein-bemiddelde weerstand is tans die mees praktiese en algemene gebruikte metode om virus weerstand in plant gewasse te verkry. Die CP geen van In Suid Afrikaanse isolaat van GLRaV-3 geïnfekteerde wingerde is geïsoleer, gekloneer en die volgorde is bepaal. Dubbelstring RNA (dsRNA) was uit GLRaV-3 geïnfekteerde materiaal geëkstraheer en In hoë molekulêre gewig band van -18 kb is geïdentifiseer. Die dsRNA is gebruik as In templaat vir In omgekeerde transkripsie PKR saam met GLRaV-3 CP geen spesifieke inleiers vir die amplifikasie van die GLRaV-3 CP geen (975 bp). Die GLRaV-3 CP geen is gekloneer in die pGem®-T Easy vektor. Klone met die CP geen in die sin (pLR3CP+) en teensin (pLR3CP-) oriëntasies respektiewelik is verkry. Die volgorde wat verkry is vanuit hierdie twee klone dui op In 99.26 % ooreenstemming met die enigste ander GLRaV-3 CP geen volgorde wat beskikbaar is. Die GLRaV-3 CP geen is uit pLR3CP+ en pLR3CP- gesny en is gesubkloneer in In plant ekspressie vektor, pCAMBIA 3301 in die sin (pCamBLR3CP+) en teensin (pCamBLR3CP-) oriëntasies respektiewelik, wat die sin en teensin geen ekspressie in transgeniese plante in staat stel. Die GLRaV-3 CP geen was ook gesubkloneer vanaf pCamBLR3CP+ in In ander plant ekspressie vektor, pCAMBIA 2301 in die sin orientasie en is as pCVSLR3CP+ benoem. Hierdie drie konstruksies is aan Dr. M. Vivier (Instituut vir Wyn Biotegnologie, Stellenbosch) gegee vir wingerd transformasie eksperimente. Twee van hierdie konstruksies, pCamBLR3CP+ en pCamBLR3CP- asook pCAMBIA 3301 is gebruik om Nicotiana tabacum deur middel van Agrobacterium tumefaciens-bemiddelde transformasie te transformeer. Plante is geselekteer vir hul vermoë om die onkruiddoder, Basta, te weerstaan. Die teenwoordigheid van die plant selekteerbare merker geen, bar, op elke konstruksie lui tot dié weerstand. Die plante wat getransformeer is met pCamBLR3CP+ en pCamBLR3CP- is deur PKR saam met die GLRaV-3 CP geen spesifieke inleiers getoets, en geen amplifikasie van die GLRaV-3 CP geen is getoon nie. Southern blot analise met die GLRaV-3 CP geen as hibridisasie peiler het geen sein gewys vir hierdie plante nie, wat die PKR resultate bevestig. Die plante wat getransformeer is met pCAMBIA 3301 is deur PKR saam met die bar geen spesifieke inleiers getoets, en geen amplifikasie van die bar geen is getoon nie. Die plante wat getransformeer is met pCamBLR3CP+ en pCamBLR3CP- is ook getoets vir die teenwoordigheid vir die bar geen. Drie van die agt plante wat getoets is, het amplifikasie van die -560 bp bar geen getoon. Hierdie onverwagte resultate stel voor dat dié plante met pCAMBIA 3301 (vektor sonder die geligeerde GLRaV-3 CP geen) en nie met pCamBLR3CP+ en pCamBLR3CPgetransformeer is nie. Hierdie projek verskaf voorlopige werk vir die daaropvolgende transformasie van wingerd met die GLRaV-3 CP geen in 'n poging om virus bestandheid te verskaf.

Thesis (MScAgric)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Knowledge of the presence of Botrytis cinerea in morphological parts of bunches and leaves of grapevine would help to find a reliable, sensitive, and specific assay to verify the actual occurrence of latent infection, and to plan strategies for the effective control of B. cinerea bunch rot. The aim of this study was (i) to determine natural B. cinerea infection at specific sites in leaves and bunches of grapevine at different phenological stages, and (ii) to determine resistance in the morphological parts to disease expression. Bunches and leaves of the wine grape cultivar Merlot and the table grape cultivar Dauphine, were collected at pea size, bunch closure and harvest from five vineyards in the Stellenbosch and De Dooms regions respectively. The material was divided into two groups and sealed in polythene bags. The bags were lined with wet paper towels to establish high relative humidity. Leaves and bunches incubated in one group of bags were first treated with paraquat in order to terminate active host responses. These treatments provided conditions that facilitated disease expression under two host resistance levels by different inocula during the period of moist incubation. Disease expression was positively identified by lesion development, and the formation of sporulating colonies of B. cinerea at a potential infection site. Sites in leaves were the blades and petioles. Sites in bunch parts were rachises, laterals and pedicels, and on berries sites were the pedicel-end, cheek and style-end. In Dauphine, the various sites were at all stages classified as resistant to moderately resistant. However, at pea size and bunch closure, in spite of their resistance, nearly all the sites carried high to very high inoculum levels. The only exception was the berry cheek, which carried intermediate inoculum levels at pea size, and low inoculum levels at bunch closure. In nearly all sites, inoculum levels were lower at harvest. The decrease was the most prominent in petioles, rachises, laterals, pedicels and the pedicel-end of the berry. All these sites carried intermediate to low inoculum levels at harvest. In Merlot, sites constantly exibited a resistant reaction, except for the pedicel and pedicel-end of the berry, which changed from resistant at the early developmental stages to susceptible at harvest. Inoculum levels decreased during the season in the rachises and laterals, but were constantly high during the season in the pedicel and pedicel-end of the berry. According to this pattern of natural occurrence, B. cinerea fruit rot in these vineyards was not caused by colonisation of the pistil, and subsequent latency in the style end of grape berries. However, fruit rot was primarily caused by colonisation of the pedicel, and subsequent latency in the pedicel or pedicel-end of the berry. These findings furthermore support the hypothesis of increased host resistance during development, but also indicate that in the Western Cape province, inoculum in vineyards is abundant during the early part of the season, and less abundant later in the season. More information is therefore needed on the behaviour of the different types of B. cinerea inocula on the different morphological parts of grapevine to validate the pathway described for natural B. cinerea infection in vineyards. The penetration and disease expression at the different morphological parts of bunches of two grape cultivars (Dauphine and Merlot) under conditions simulating natural infection by airborne conidia was therefore investigated. The two cultivars did not differ in resistance of the berry cheek, which was at all stages classified as resistant. However, in Dauphine, latent inoculum levels in berry cheeks declined from intermediate at pea size to low at the following stages, whereas in Merlot, levels were intermediate during pea size and at harvest. Some differences between cultivars were found in the resistance of the structural bunch parts, and of their latent inoculum levels. In Dauphine, the rachis reacted susceptible at pea size, and was classified moderately resistant later in the season. Laterals and pedicels were moderate resistant at pea size, and resistant at later stages. Inoculum levels in rachises, laterals and pedicels were high at pea size, but intermediate at bunch closure and at harvest. The finding that B. cinerea infected and naturally occurred more commonly in the tissues of immature than mature bunches, that the structural parts of the bunch carried more B. cinerea than the berry cheek, and that these infections may be more important in B. cinerea bunch rot than infection of the cheek or the style end, suggest that emphasis should be placed on the disease reaction of the pedicel and related parts of immature bunches rather than on the berry. The resistanc-e reaction of leaf blades, petioles, internodes and inflorescences on cuttings, compared to those on older shoots from the vineyard were therefore investigated. In the case of vinelets, leaf blades, petioles, internodes and inflorescences were all classified susceptible to highly susceptible. The different parts furthermore all carried very high latent inoculum levels. In vineyard shoots the petioles and inflorescences showed resistance, and carried intermediate to latent inoculum levels. This finding suggests that leaf blades are not appropriate parts for studying the behaviour of inoculum of B. cinerea and host responses in grape bunches. In stead, petioles and inflorescences of vineyard shoots should be used for this purpose.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: WEERSTAND TEEN BOTRYTIS CINEREA IN MORFOLOGIESE DELE VAN BLARE EN TROSSE VAN WINGERD Kennis oor die teenwoordigheid van Botrytis cinerea in morfologiese dele van wingerd word benodig vir die ontwerp van 'n betroubare, sensitiewe en spesifieke toets vir die bevestiging van latente infeksies, en vir die implementering van strategieë vir die effektiewe beheer van B. cinerea-vrot. Die doel van hierdie studie was om (i) natuurlike B. cinerea infeksie by spesifieke areas in blare en trosse van wingerd te bepaal, en (ii) om weerstand teen siekte-uitdrukking in hierdie morfologiese dele vas te stel. Trosse en blare van die wyndruif kultivar Merlot en die tafeldruif kultivar Dauphine, is by ertjiekorrel, tros-toemaak en oes in vyf wingerde in die Stellenbosch- en De Doomsomgewing, onderskeidelik, versamel. Die materiaal is in twee groepe verdeel en in polietileen sakkies verseël. Die sakkies is met klam papierdoekies uitgevoer om sodoende hoë relatiewe humiditeit te verseker. Blare en trosse wat in die een groep geïnkubeer is, is eers met paraquat behandel om aktiewe gasheerreaksies te beëindig. Hierdie behandelings het toestande geskep wat gedurende die periode van vogtige inkubasie gunstig was vir siekteontwikkeling deur verskillende inokula by twee gasheer-weerstandsvlakke. Siekteuitdrukking is positief geïdentifiseer deur letsel-ontwikkeling en die vorming van sporuierende kolonies van B. cinerea by 'n potensiële infeksie-area. Dele waarop in die blare gekonsentreer is, was die blaarskyf en -steel. In die trosse was die dele die rachis, lateraal en korrelsteel, en op korrels was dit die korrelsteel-end, wang en styl-end. In Dauphine is die verskillende dele tydens al die fenologiese stadia as weerstandbiedend tot matig weerstandbiedend geklassifiseer. Die verskillende dele her egter, ten spyte van hul weerstandbiedendheid, hoë tot baie hoë inokulumvlakke by ertjiekorrel- en tros-toemaakstadium gedra. Die enigste uitsondering was die korrelwang, wat 'n middelmatige inokulumvlak by ertjiekorrel, en 'n lae inokulumvlak by tros-toemaak, gedra het. Die inokulumvlakke was in byna al die dele laer by oes. Die afname in inokulumvlakke was die prominentste in die blaarstele, rachi, laterale, korreisteie en die korrelsteel-end van die korrel. Al hierdie dele het 'n middelmatige tot lae inokulumvlak by oes gehad. In Merlot was die dele konstant weerstandbiedend, behalwe vir die korrelsteel en die korrelsteel-end van die korrel, wat gewissel het van weerstandbiedend by die vroeë ontwikkelingstadia, tot vatbaar by oes. lnokulumvlakke in die rachis en lateraal het gedurende die seisoen afgeneem; maar was deur die seisoen konstant hoog in die korrelsteel en korrelsteel-end van die korrel. Volgens die patroon van natuurlike voorkoms, word B. cinerea-vrot in hierdie wingerde nie deur kolonisasie van die stamper, en die daaropvolgende latensie in die styl-end van die korrels, veroorsaak nie. Vrot word egter primêr deur kolonisasie van die korrelsteel, en die daaropvolgende latensie in die korrelsteel of korrelsteel-end van die korrel, veroorsaak. Hierdie bevindinge ondersteun die hipotese van toenemende gasheerweerstand gedurende ontwikkeling, en dui ook daarop dat inokulumvlakke in wingerde in die Wes-Kaap provinsie volop is gedurende die eerste deel van die seisoen, en minder volop is later in die seisoen. Meer inligting word dus benodig aangaande die gedrag van die verskillende inokulum tipes van B. cinerea op die verskillende morfologiese dele van wingerd, ten einde die infeksieweg vir natuurlike B. cinerea infeksie in wingerde te bevestig. Die vestiging van latente infeksies in die verskillende morfologiese dele van trosse van twee kultivars (Dauphine en Merlot), onder toestande wat natuurlike infeksie deur luggedraagde konidia simuleer, is dus ondersoek. Die twee kultivars se weerstand in die korrelwang het nie verskil nie en is by alle fenologiese stadia as weerstandbiedend geklassifiseer. Die latente inokulumvlakke in die korrelwang van Dauphine het egter van middelmatig by ertjiekorrel, tot laag in die daaropvolgende stadia afgeneem, terwyl die vlakke in Merlot middelmatig by ertjiekorrel en oes was. Verskille tussen die twee kultivars is gevind ten opsigte van die weerstand in die trosdele, asook hulle latente inokulumvlakke. Die rachis van Dauphine was by ertjiekorrel vatbaar, en matig weerstandbiedend later in die seisoen. Die lateraal en korrelsteel was matig weerstandbiedend by ertjiekorrel en weerstandbiedend by latere stadia. lnokulumvlakke in rachi, laterale en korreisteie was hoog by ertjiekorrel, maar middelmatig by tros-toemaak en oes. Die bevindinge dat B. cinerea natuurlik meer algemeen in die weefsel van onvolwasse trosse voorgekom en laasgenoemde meer algemeen geïnfekteer het, dat B. cinerea se voorkoms hoër was in die morfologiese dele van die tros as in die korrelwang, en dat hierdie infeksies van groter belang in B. cinerea-vrot mag wees as infeksie van die wang of styl-end, dui daarop dat klem gelê moet word op die siektereaksie van die strukturele dele van onvolwasse trosse, eerder as van die korrel. Die weerstand van blaarskywe, blaarstele, internodes en blomtrossies van steggies, in vergelyking met die op ouer lote in wingerde, is dus ondersoek. Blaarskywe, blaarstele, internodes en blomtrossies van steggies is almal as vatbaar tot hoogs vatbaar geklassifiseer. Die verskillende dele het verder ook almal baie hoë latente inokulumvlakke gedra. By die ouer lote van wingerde het die blaarstele en blomtrossies weerstandbiedend vertoon, en middelmatige latente inokulumvlakke gedra. Hierdie bevindinge dui daarop dat blaarskywe nie die ideale morfologiese deel is vir gedragstudies van B. cinerea in druiwetrosse nie. Blaarstele en blomtrossies van ouer lote moet eerder vir die doel gebruik word.

Grapevine leafroll-associated virus-2 (GLRaV-2), GLRaV-3, and grapevine fleck virus (GFkV) are widespread in grapes around the world. These viruses can cause significant crop loss and affect wine quality by reducing sugar accumulation and compromising skin color. Mealybugs are vectors of grapevine leafroll-associated viruses (GLRaVs). A statewide survey of commercial and wild grapevines in Virginia was conducted during 2009 through 2011. Also, vector management options were tested in two field studies. GLRaV-2, GLRaV-3, and GFkV were detected in 8%, 25%, and 1%, respectively, of over 1,200 vine samples (41 wine grape varieties) from 77 locations, and 64% of vineyards were positive for at least one of the tested viruses. All 100 wild grapevines tested were free of these three viruses, indicating that they are not alternative hosts. The majority of infected vines from commercial vineyards were planted prior to the 1990\'s; however, some new plantings were also found to be positive, indicating movement of the viruses among vineyards and also potential infection prior to planting. The high frequency of virus-infected vines emphasizes the importance of clean plant materials, as well as management of vector insects. The insecticide trials resulted in promising vector control with dinotefuran and spirotetramat; however, acetamiprid and pryrethroid resulted in an increase in mealybug population. This study is the first to examine multiple grape viruses in VA. It will aid in developing better strategies aimed at controlling mealybugs to restrict the movement of viral diseases.
Master of Science in Life Sciences

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2015.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa is ranked amongst the top ten for wine production internationally. Viticulture contributes immensely to the economy, which justifies research into the pathogens that may negatively affect wine production. Aster Yellows phytoplasma was reported in South African vineyards in 2010 and has since been an ongoing problem for grape farmers in affected areas. Throughout the world, phytoplasma diseases such as Grapevine Yellows have caused detrimental effects on the vines, often resulting in death. The limited knowledge on prevention and control of the pathogen can be attributed to the lack of full understanding of the epidemiology and accurate diagnosis. The aim of this study was to determine the spatial distribution of Aster Yellows phytoplasma in individual grapevines and to record a possible temporal or seasonal distribution. The recovery phenotype phenomenon was encountered during the study and surveys were conducted in order to determine whether recovery was permanent. In order to perform the studies, a reliable assay to accurately detect the pathogen in grapevines was required. A comparison between three assays was completed in furtherance of deciding which to use for the further experimentation. The three assays included a nested PCR utilizing universal primers, a Real-Time PCR using Syto9 as a double stranded DNA specific dye and a Real- Time PCR with a TaqMan® probe using an identical dilution series. Of the three assays tested, the nested PCR proved to be the most sensitive diagnostic procedure, detecting Aster Yellows phytoplasma in very low titers and was thus used for diagnostics in further experiments. In order to determine the spatial patterns of Aster yellows phytoplasma infection, leaf, petiole, trunk, root and cane samples were taken from three whole grapevine plants. Phloem scrapings obtained from the cane samples yielded more positive results in comparison to the other parts of the plant tested. Not only do phytoplasmas display an erratic spatial distribution, but also have a tendency to change over time. Thirty symptomatic grapevines were sampled over one and a half growing seasons, with results concluding that February yielded the most positive diagnoses. Fifty plants that had been previously pruned back and no longer displayed symptoms were also sampled in 2013 and 2014, and all yielded negative results over both years. This study contributes to comprehension of Aster Yellows phytoplasma epidemiology and ultimately the advancement of accurate diagnosis.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suid-Afrika is internasionaal geposisioneer onder die top tien vir die produksie van wyn. Wingerd dra geweldig by tot die ekonomie, wat navorsing oor die patogene wat wynporduksie negatief beïnvloed, regverdig. Aster Yellows phytoplasmais in 2010 gerapporteer in Suid-Afrikaanse wingerde en is sedertdien 'n deurlopende probleem vir druiweboere in geaffekteerde gebiede. Dwarsdeur die wêreld, het fitoplasma siektes soos Grapevine Yellows ‘n nadelige uitwerking op wingerde, wat dikwels lei tot plantsterftes. Die beperkte kennis oor die voorkoming en beheer van die patogeen kan toegeskryf word aan die gebrek aan begrip van die epidemiologie en akkurate diagnose . Die doel van hierdie studie was om die ruimtelike verspreiding van Aster geel fitoplasma in individuele wingerdstokke te bepaal en 'n moontlike tydelike of seisoenale verspreiding aan te teken. Die herstel-fenotipe verskynsel is tydens die studie teëgekom en opnames is uitgevoer ten einde te bepaal of die herstel permanent was. Ten einde die studie uit te voer , is 'n betroubare toets vereis om die patogeen in wingerde akkuraat te spoor. : Drie toetse is vergelyk (en geëvalueer) vir hulle geskikthed vir gebruik in die studie. Die drie toetse het ingesluit 'n geneste PKR wat gebruik maak van universele primers, 'n in-tydse PKR (real-time PCR) wat Syto9 gebruik as 'n dubbelstring DNS spesifieke kleurstof, en 'n in-tydse PKR met 'n TaqMan® peiler, en is vergelyk met behulp van 'n identiese vedunnings reeks. Van die drie toetse , is die geneste PCR bewys om die mees sensitiewe diagnostiese prosedure te wees , en kon Aster geel fitoplasma in baie lae titers opspoor en is dus gebruik vir die diagnose in verdere eksperimente. Ten einde die ruimtelike patrone van Aster geel fitoplasma infeksie te bepaal, is blaar, blaarsteel, stam, wortel en loot monsters van drie volle wingerdstokke geneem. Floëem skraapsels verkry uit die loot monsters het meer positiewe resultate opgelewer in vergelyking met die ander dele van die plant. Nie net vertoon phytoplasmas 'n wisselvallige ruimtelike verspreiding nie, maar het ook 'n neiging om te verander met verloop van tyd. Dertig simptomaties wingerdstokke is versamel oor een en 'n half groeiseisoene,en die resultate het gewys dat Februarie die meeste positiewe diagnoses het. Monsters is versamel in 2013 en 2014 van vyftig plante wat voorheen teruggesnoei is en nie meer simptome vertoon nie, en alle monsters het negatiewe resultate opgelewer oor beide jare. Hierdie studie dra by tot begrip van Aster geel fitoplasma epidemiologie en uiteindelik die bevordering van akkurate diagnose.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2015.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Grapevine leafroll disease (GLD), caused by the members of the family Closteroviridae, is one of the most economic important viral diseases affecting grapevine. Grapevine leafroll associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3), of the genus Ampelovirus, is the most widespread member of the leafroll associated virus family. To prevent the spread of GLD, management strategies such as rogueing and insect vector control are required to limit crop losses. Alternative control strategies based on genetic modification of the grapevine genome, such as pathogen-derived resistance (PDR), is proven to be effective in conferring resistance to several viruses. Therefore, the focus of this study was to evaluate pathogen-derived resistance strategies for GLRaV-3 using the following two approaches; 1) evaluation of transgenic plants expressing a dysfunctional GLRaV-3 heat shock protein 70 homolog (HSP70h) in order to confer resistance against GLRaV-3, and 2) the construction of artificial microRNAs (amiRNAs) to use as a tool for silencing specific sequences of GLRaV-3 in the grapevine host and the development of an amiRNA-mediated silencing validation system. In the first part of this study, six transgenic plant lines (plant lines #1, #3, #9, #14, #15 and #17) as well as a non-modified plant line, were inoculated with GLRaV-3 by grafting buds of each onto GLRaV-3 infected plant material. After approximately five months, GLRaV-3 virus titres of all grafted plants were quantified relative to two reference genes using RT-qPCR. Results were evaluated by comparing the relative virus titre of each transgenic plant line to that of the non-modified control plant line. Results showed that resistance levels of plant line #3 was significantly enhanced (>99%) and remarkably, plant line #14, showed to be more susceptible to the virus. The second part of the study was the construction and validation of amiRNAs targeting GLRaV-3 sequences. Two 21 nt regions of GLRaV-3 were successfully incorporated into miRNA backbone vvi167b of grapevine. Moreover, target constructs were developed by incorporating corresponding GLRaV-3 target sequences into the 3’ UTR of a green fluorescence protein (GFP) gene. Subsequently, the target constructs were co-infiltrated with the constructed amiRNA in Nicotiana benthamiana and GFP expression levels were quantified to determine the silencing efficiency of the amiRNAs. Results showed that the amiRNAs were successful in silencing the GFP target construct, however, they were not specific in silencing exclusively their corresponding target. These amiRNA constructs are ideal for further viral studies to determine the efficiency of silencing GLRaV-3 in GLD infected grapevines.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Wingerd rolblaar siekte (GLD), wat veroorsaak word deur die lede van die familie Closteroviridae, is een van die ekonomies mees belangrike virus siektes van wingerd. Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3), van die genus Ampelovirus, is die mees wydverspreide lid van die rolblaar geassosieerde virus familie. Om die verspreiding van GLD te voorkom, is bestuur strategieë, soos die verwydering van geïnfekteerde plante en insekvektor beheer, ’n vereiste om oes verliese te beperk. Alternatiewe beheer strategieë gebaseer op genetiese modifikasie van die wingerdgenoom, soos patogeen-afgeleide weerstand (PDR), is bewys om effektief te wees in die verlening van weerstand teen verskeie virusse. Daarom was die fokus van hierdie studie om patogeen-afgeleide weerstand strategieë vir GLRaV-3 te evalueer met behulp van die volgende twee benaderings; 1) die evaluering van transgeniese plante wat 'n disfunksionele GLRaV-3 hitte-skok proteïen 70 homoloog (HSP70h) uitdruk, ten einde weerstand te verleen teen GLRaV-3, en 2) die konstruksie van kunsmatige mikroRNAs (amiRNAs) om te gebruik as 'n instrument vir die ondrukking van spesifieke genoomvolgordes van GLRaV-3 in die wingerd gasheer en die ontwikkeling van ’n stelsel om amiRNA-bemiddelde onderdrukking te bevestig. In die eerste deel van hierdie studie, is ses transgeniese plant lyne (plant lyne # 1, # 3, # 9, # 14, # 15 en # 17) sowel as 'n nie-gemodifiseerde gesonde plant lyn, geïnokuleer met GLRaV- 3 deur enting van ogies van elk op GLRaV-3 besmette plantmateriaal. Na ongeveer vyf maande, is GLRaV-3 virus konsentrasies van alle ingeënte plante gekwantifiseer relatief tot twee verwysing gene deur gebruik te maak van tru-transkripsie kwantitatiewe PCR (RTqPCR). Resultate is geëvalueer deur die relatiewe virus konsentrasie van elke transgeniese plant lyn te vergelyk met dié van die nie-gemodifiseerde kontrole lyn. Resultate het getoon dat weerstand vlakke van plant lyn # 3 beduidend verbeter is (> 99%) en merkwaardig is plant lyn # 14 bewys om meer vatbaar vir die virus te wees. Die tweede deel van die studie was die konstruksie en bevestiging van kunsmatige mikroRNAs (amiRNAs) wat GLRaV-3 genoomvolgordes teiken. Twee 21 nt streke van GLRaV-3 is suksesvol geïnkorporeer in die ruggraat van wingerd mikroRNA vvi167b. Verder is teiken konstrukte ontwikkel deur die inkorporering van ooreenstemmende GLRaV-3 teiken genoomvolgordes in die 3'UTR (3’ ongetransleerde area) van 'n groen fluoressensie proteïen (GFP) geen. Daarna is die teiken konstrukte gesamentlik geïnfiltreer met die gekonstrueerde amiRNA in Nicotiana benthamiana en GFP uitdrukkingsvlakke is gekwantifiseer deur die onderdrukkingsdoeltreffendheid van die amiRNAs te bepaal. Resultate het getoon dat die amiRNAs suksesvol was in die onderdrukking van die GFP teiken konstruk, maar hulle was egter nie-spesifiek in die eksklusiewe onderdrukking van die ooreenstemmende teiken. Hierdie amiRNA konstrukte is ideaal vir verdere virus studies om die doeltreffendheid van GLRaV-3 onderdrukking in GLD besmette wingerdstokke te bepaal.

Thesis (MSc (Genetics))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011.
Includes bibliography
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigated the use of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as possible source of resistance against a range of pathogens in grapevine. Whilst the ultimate aim would be to express AMPs in grapevine, the development of transgenic grapevine is time consuming and therefore pre-screening of potential AMPs is necessary. These small molecules, of less than 50 amino acids in length, are expressed by almost all organisms as part of their non-specific defence system. In vitro pre-screening of AMP activity is valuable but is limited since the activity on artificial media may differ from the AMP activity in planta. These tests are also restricted to pathogens which can be cultured in vitro. These limitations can be overcome by using transient expression systems to determine the in planta activity of AMPs against pathogens of interest. In this study transient systems were used to express AMPs in developed plant tissue to test their efficacy against grapevine pathogens such as Agrobacterium vitis, Xylophilus ampelinus and aster yellows phytoplasma. Aster yellows phytoplasma, which was recently discovered in local vineyards, is known to cause extensive damage and therefore pose a great threat to the South African grapevine industry. To study the in planta effect of AMPs against the abovementioned pathogens, transient expression vectors were constructed expressing either of the AMPs D4E1 or Vv-AMP1. D4E1 is a synthetically designed AMP known to be active against bacteria and fungi, while Vv-AMP1, isolated from grapevine berries, has already shown activity against fungi. In a transient approach in grapevine, the expression of foreign genes from viral and non-viral vectors was confirmed by expression of the marker genes β-glucuronidase and Green Fluorescent Protein, while tissue-printing immunoassays confirmed viral replication and systemic spread in Nicotiana benthamiana. The viral vectors were based on the phloem-limited virus grapevine virus A. Only Agrobacterium-mediated 35S transient expression vectors were used for AMP in planta activity screening since the viral-mediated expression in grapevine was insufficient for screening against A. vitis and X. ampelinus as it was restricted to phloem tissues after whole-leaf infiltration. No phytoplasma-infected material could be established and as a result AMP activity screening was only performed against the A. vitis and X. ampelinus. Quantification of the bacteria was performed by qPCR. Vv-AMP1 did not show activity against either of the two bacteria in planta while D4E1 was found to be active against both. The observed in planta activity of D4E1 correlated with the in vitro activity as measured in an AMP plate bioassay. In contrast to in vitro screenings, the in planta AMP activity screening might give a more accurate representation of the potential antimicrobial activity of the peptide in a transgenic plant environment. This study proved that transient expression systems can be used as a pre-screening method of AMP activity in planta against grapevine pathogens, allowing the screening of various AMPs in a relatively short period of time before committing to transgenic grapevine development.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie het die gebruik van antimikrobiese peptiede (AMPe) as 'n moontlik bron van weerstand teen 'n reeks van patogene in wingerd ondersoek. Alhoewel die uiteindelike doel sal wees om AMPe uit te druk in wingerd, is transgeniese wingerd ontwikkeling tydrowend en daarom is vooraf evaluering van potensiële AMPe nodig. Hierdie klein molekules, van minder as 50 aminosure in lengte, word uitgedruk deur amper alle organismes as deel van hul nie-spesifieke verdedigingsisteem. In vitro vooraf evaluering van AMP aktiwiteit is van waarde, maar is beperk aangesien die aktiwiteit op kunsmatige media mag verskil van die AMP-aktiwiteit in planta. Hierdie toetse is ook beperk tot patogene wat in vitro gekweek kan word. Hierdie beperkinge kan oorkom word deur gebruik te maak van tydelike uitdrukkingsisteme om die in planta aktiwiteit van AMPe te bepaal teen patogene van belang. In hierdie studie is tydelike uitdrukkingsisteme gebruik om AMPe uit te druk in ontwikkelde plantweefsel om hul effektiwiteite te toets teen wingerdpatogene soos Agrobacterium vitis, Xylophilus ampelinus en aster yellows fitoplasma. Aster yellows fitoplasmas, wat onlangs in plaaslike wingerde ontdek is, is bekend vir die uitgebreide skade wat hul aanrig en hou daarom 'n groot bedreiging in vir die Suid-Afrikaanse wingerd industrie. Om die in planta effek van AMPe teen die bogenoemde patogene te bestudeer is tydelike uitdrukkingsvektore ontwikkel wat die AMPe D4E1 of Vv-AMP1 uitdruk. D4E1 is 'n sinteties-ontwerpte AMP wat aktief is teen bakterieë en fungi, terwyl Vv-AMP1, wat uit druiwekorrels geïsoleer is, alreeds aktiwiteit teen fungi getoon het. In 'n tydelike uitdrukkingsbenadering in wingerd is die uitdrukking van transgene, vanaf virus of nie-virus gebaseerde vektore, bevestig deur die uitdrukking van die merker gene β-glukuronidase en die Groen Fluoresserende Proteïen, terwyl weefsel afdrukkings-immunotoetse virus replisering en sistemiese beweging in Nicotiana benthamiana bevestig het. Die virusvektore was gebaseer op die floëem-beperkte virus, wingerdvirus A. Slegs Agrobacterium-bemiddelde 35S tydelike uitdrukkingsvektore is gebruik om die AMP in planta aktiwiteit te bepaal aangesien die virus-bemiddelde uitdrukking in wingerd onvoldoende was vir evaluering teen A. vitis en X. ampelinus weens die beperking tot die floëem weefsel na infiltrering van die totale blaar. Geen fitoplasma geïnfekteerde materiaal kon gevestig word nie, en daarom is AMP aktiwiteitsevaluering slegs teen A. vitis en X. ampelinus uitgevoer. Kwantifisering van die bakterieë is deur middel van qPCR uitgevoer. Vv-AMP1 het geen aktiwiteit getoon teen enige van die bakterieë in planta nie, terwyl D4E1 aktief was teen beide. Die waargenome in planta aktiwiteit van D4E1 het ooreengestem met die in vitro aktiwiteit soos bepaal deur 'n AMP plaat bio-toets. In kontras tot in vitro evaluering kan die in planta AMP-aktiwiteit evaluering 'n meer akkurate voorspelling bied van die potensiële antimikrobiese aktiwiteite van die peptied in 'n transgeniese plant omgewing. Hierdie studie het bewys dat tydelike uitdrukkingsisteme gebruik kan word as 'n voorafgaande evalueringsmetode vir AMP in planta aktiwiteit teen wingerdpatogene, wat die evaluering van 'n verskeidenheid AMPe in 'n relatiewe kort tydperk toelaat voor verbintenis tot die ontwikkeling van transgeniese wingerd.

Il mal dell’esca è una malattia complessa, determinata da diversi agenti fungini, che ha attualmente un importante impatto economico sulla viticoltura mondiale. I principali obiettivi della ricerca sono stati i) l’analisi spaziale delle viti con sintomi di mal dell’esca e ii) lo studio delle comunità fungine in viti sintomatiche e asintomatiche. Per quanto riguarda il primo obiettivo, è stato condotto uno studio sulla diffusione del mal dell’esca in tre vigneti commerciali nelle Marche, in modo da poter comprendere meglio come l’infezione evolve nel tempo e nello spazio. Dall’elaborazione dei dati è stato possibile verificare che i) nel 2017 e 2018, in nessuno dei vigneti è presente un gradiente di malattia tra le file, ii) è presente un gradiente di malattia in direzione Est-Ovest nel vigneto OS1 mentre nel vigneto OS2 è presente una concentrazione di piante sintomatiche nella parte centrale rispetto ai bordi, iii) è stata registrata una significativa correlazione tra incidenza della malattia e portinnesto nel vigneto OS1. Il secondo obiettivo ha riguardato le popolazioni di funghi endofiti in presenza o assenza di sintomi di mal dell’esca. Trentaquattro specie fungine sono state identificate su base morfologica e utilizzando tecniche molecolari e il sequenziamento della regione ITS. In particolare, Phaeoacremonium sp., Fomitiporia mediterranea e Phaeomoniella chlamydospora sono stati isolati da piante sintomatiche. Inoltre, diversi funghi endofiti non patogeni, di cui è noto il loro ruolo come agenti di biocontrollo, sono stati isolati da piante sintomatiche ed asintomatiche. Ulteriori studi saranno necessari per migliorare le conoscenze circa il ruolo della micoflora nell’espressione dei sintomi di mal dell’esca, usando tecnologie innovative (Next Generation Sequencing) e considerando non solo le comunità fungine, ma l’intero microbioma.
The disease currently known as esca is a multiple fungal syndrome. It is considered to be a complex disease that has heavy impact on viticulture around the World. This study focuses on the spatial distribution of grapevine esca, and the ecological significance and role of the fungal endophyte communities in symptomatic and asymptomatic grapevines. For the first aspect, three commercial vineyards in the Marche region (central Italy) have been examined as part of a study of the spread of esca. This is designed to determine the dissemination patterns that provide indications of both directionality and evolution of infection over time. The data collected and analysed demonstrated that in 2017 and 2018: (i) none of the vineyards showed any gradient of infection among the rows; (ii) there was a west-east gradient of infection in vineyard OS1, and in vineyard OS2 there was greater concentration of disease in the centre than at the edges; and (iii) there was significant correlation between esca incidence and rootstock for vineyard OS1. The second aspect to this study was to establish how the population structure of fungal endophytes changed according to presence of esca-related pathogens. Thirty-four fungal species were isolated and identified by morphological and molecular tools. In particular, Phaeoacremonium sp., Fomitiporia mediterranea, and Phaeomoniella chlamydospora were mainly isolated from symptomatic plants. Moreover, several non-pathogenic and endophytic fungal species were isolated from asymptomatic and symptomatic grapevines, for which they might represent biocontrol agents. Further studies using innovative technologies will be carried out to improve our knowledge of the role of the mycoflora in suppressing esca symptoms (e.g., next-generation sequencing). These will not only consider the endophytic fungal communities, but also the whole microbiome.

Grapevine Leafroll disease (GLD), one of the most destructive diseases of grapevines, has been found in every country where grapevines are grown. Grapevine Leafroll associated virus type 3 (GLRaV-3), one of several viruses associated with GLD globally, is the most prevalent virus in South African grapevines and therefore control of GLRaV-3 takes high priority in any strategy aimed at control of GLD. GLD can be controlled through the use of an integrated strategy which includes using certified plant material, controlling insect vectors through use of systemic insecticides and the removal of infected vines by roguing. Infected individuals are identified each autumn, using either symptom display (in red cultivars, where infected individuals display interveinal reddening and downward rolling of leaves) or ELISA (in symptomless white cultivars). ELISA is laborious, time consuming and relatively insensitivity compared to molecular techniques and a simpler, more rapid and more sensitive means of indentifying GLRaV-3 infected vines is required. A simple RNA extraction procedure combined with a single-tube reverse transcriptase loop-mediated amplification (RT-LAMP) has been developed which allows for the rapid, simple detection of GLRaV-3. Using RT-LAMP, a viral target can be amplified in 2 hours under isothermal conditions. This GLRaV-3 specific RTLAMP uses hydroxy napthol blue (HNB), a colourimetric indicator that changes from violet to sky blue only where a positive RT-LAMP reaction has occurred, making results quick and easy to interpret. The sensitivity of this technique was compared to ELISA and nested PCR by pooling samples at varying ratios of healthy to infected plants. Using nested PCR and RT-LAMP 1 infected sample could be detected amongst 50 healthy individuals while ELISA could only detect 1 amongst 30 infected making RT-LAMP more sensitive than ELISA. Further RT-LAMP could be performed in 2 hours compared to nested PCR and ELISA’s 8 and 48 hours respectively. Based on these results, RT-LAMP is viable alternative for ELISA for the detection of GLRaV-3 in the field. RT-LAMP was also tested for its ability to detect GLRaV-3 in grapevine rootstocks where, due to low viral titres and erratic distribution, it is notoriously difficult to detect. The rootstocks which were used for testing of GLRaV-3 had been tested in a previous study and it was found that only 28% of samples tested positive after 33 months (post inoculation). Using RT-LAMP, 78% of samples tested positive for GLRaV-3. Although further testing must be done, RT-LAMP may also be a viable alternative for testing grapevine rootstocks for GLRaV-3 infection.
Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2013.
gm2014
Microbiology and Plant Pathology
unrestricted