Distribution of Esca Disease in Hungary and the Pathogens Causing the Syndrome

ABSTRACT

Surveys were carried out in the 11 major wine regions of Hungary from 2003 to 2005 to identify pathogenic grapevine wood fungi. Occurrence of the disease in vineyards younger than 12 years, was studied separately. Sixty-six percent of the vineyards were free, thus symptoms of early decline were present in 34% of the plantations with 0,3–2,6% incidences. All vineyards over 12 years were affected by esca and early decline pathogens. Several fungi were consistently associated with these symptoms: The most frequently isolated species from older stocks were Fomitiporia sp., Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, Phomopsis viticola, Botryosphaeria sp. and Eutypa lata. On younger, 2–4-year-old plants, mostly Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, Phaeoacremonium sp., Cylindrocarpon sp. and Fomitiporia sp.occurred. Several associated species were identified on the declining stocks: Fusarium spp., Penicillium spp., Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus spp., Trichoderma spp., Verticillium spp., Pestalozzia pezizoides and Monochaetia viticola.

Keywords: Vitis vinifera, grapevine, esca, early decline