Glasnik Zaštite Bilja, Vol. 49. No. 5., 2026.
Professional paper
Differential susceptibility of grapevine cultivars to Flavescence dorée
Darko Preiner
; Sveučilište u Zagrebu Agronomski fakultet, Zagreb, Hrvatska
*
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Flavescence dorée (FD), caused by the phytoplasma Candidatus Phytoplasma vitis and transmitted by the American grapevine leafhopper (Scaphoideus titanus), is one of the most important quarantine diseases of grapevine in Europe. Phytosanitary measures focus on removing infected vines, controlling the vector and using healthy planting material, but it is becoming increasingly clear that grapevine genotype strongly influences the course of infection. Research to date shows a continuous range of responses. At one end are highly susceptible cultivars with high phytoplasma titres, systemic spread and severe symptoms. At the other are genotypes in which multiplication or spread of the pathogen is limited, which are less favourable hosts for the vector, or which show a greater capacity for recovery. Despite considerable differences in susceptibility, no grapevine cultivar has so far been found to be resistant or fully tolerant to Flavescence dorée. Lower susceptibility of certain cultivars to Flavescence dorée does not constitute resistance to infection. It must not be taken to mean that these cultivars can be grown without the prescribed phytosanitary measures. Cultivars classified as less susceptible can still become infected with FD, develop symptoms and take part in the epidemiological cycle of the disease. They may differ from more susceptible cultivars in infection incidence, phytoplasma multiplication and systemic spread, symptom severity or suitability for the vector. A classification of cultivars by relative susceptibility therefore describes biological differences among genotypes, not their phytosanitary safety. Choosing a less susceptible cultivar does not replace vineyard surveillance, removal of infected plants, monitoring and mandatory control of the vector, or any other officially prescribed measures to prevent the spread of FD.
Keywords
Flavescence dorée; grapevine yellows; grapevine cultivars; susceptibility; tolerance
Hrčak ID:
353309
URI
Publication date:
26.10.2026.
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