Flavescence Dorée and its management in vineyard contain the disease and avoid further spread

Flavescence Dorée (FD) is a serious disease, that belongs to the group of grapevine yellows (GY). It is known since the 1950’s when detected for the first time in France, then, similar diseases were reported in other European countries (Stolbur for instance). The disease, caused by a phytoplasma (phytoplasma vitis), which is a quarantine organism indexed on the
A2 EPPO list (n°2009/297CE directive) is one of the most damaging diseases in the European vineyard, with strong economic consequences in the major wine-producing countries. The main known vector of FD, is a monophagus a leafhopper strictly associated with grapevine, who transmits the phytoplasma. FD induce severe impacts, including yield losses and vine plant dieback. Without control measures, the disease spreads rapidly, affecting up to the totality of vines in a few years. Despite mandatory control in Europe for this disease, it is still spreading and requires permanent monitoring to prevent the spread in new areas and reduce the negative impact in infected areas.