Phylloxera is the most significant insect pest of wine grapes throughout the world that cannot be controlled by chemical or biological means. Grafting susceptible wine grapes onto tolerant rootstocks is the only long-term insurance against this devastating root pest.
The main objective of this research were to generate information on small fruit and grape virus diversity in the Pacific Northwest focusing on viruses transmitted by nematodes. The $840 million small fruit industry in the PNW faces several phytosanitary risk scenarios, one of these is the emergent or re-emergent viruses transmitted by nematodes.
Powdery mildew (Erysiphe necator, formerly known as Uncinula necator) is one of the most significant fungal diseases affecting grapevines worldwide and especially prevalent in Oregon spring weather conditions in vineyards. Powdery mildew impacts grape yields and quality through reduced photosynthesis in infected leaves, leading to decreased sugar accumulation
Grapevine trunk disease (GTD) is a disease complex that consists of the largest group of fungal pathogens causing disease and progressive vine decline. Due to the complex nature of GTD pathogens, understanding the disease as a phenomenon of single species or multiple species infection is always challenging. In addition, the environmental variables play a greater role in the dominance of one species over another. It is important to understand the species that are predominant in a region and their causal role in GTD development so that targeted disease management programs can be developed. In this research project, we study the diversity of GTD pathogens in grapevines of Northern and Southern Oregon; as well as to compare the different disease management practices including vineyard floor management and pruning wound protection.
During the duration of this project researchers refurbished the electronics of all 32 dendrometers and manufactured carbon fiber parts for the new 3 spring design. Two deployments were completed, one at the beginning of the summer and one in mid- summer. The deployment in mid-summer included 3 devices with a new 3-spring design to improve stability over the original 1-spring design from previous years. Researchers worked closely with engineers to implement a data-cleaning algorithm, which removes statistically significant outliers and removes skipping or incongruencies in the data due to bumping or other mechanical disturbances. While effective it is still being improved, live updates are transmitted via 4G LoRa telemetry once every four hours. Measurement data is stored on the SD card at the original 15-minute interval. To further investigate the dendrometer and the 3-spring design, researchers performed off-season experiments in a greenhouse. Researchers continued to develop 4G telemetry capabilities for rapid evaluation of plant water status and device functionality.
