Scientists of the Biotechnical Faculty with Italian Colleagues: Scientific Solution for Combating Black Spot of Grapevine
Combating black spot of grapevine is a challenge both in agricultural practice, because it requires a combination of agro-technical and chemical protection measures, and in science that seeks a solution without unnecessary treatments. Professors of the Biotechnical Faculty Jelena Latinović, PhD, and Nedeljko Latinović, PhD, in cooperation with his Italian colleagues, pointed out potential solutions, as a result of cooperation within a bilateral project of special importance with Italy.
This is discussed in two papers published in renowned scientific journals: in the journal Plant Disease (Impact Factor 4.438) and in the journal Frontiers in Plant Science (Impact Factor 5.753).
“A special complexity in control of this disease is ban on certain active substances of fungicides in the EU that have been used so far for the treatment of vines (e.g. mancozeb). To this should be added the desire for less and less use of plant protection products, which imposes the need to find new methods of control that will reduce the number of sprays, “ Professor Latinović explains.
Both published scientific papers related to development and validation of a model for predicting infection by the fungus Diaporthe ampelina (synonymous with Phomopsis viticola), the causative agent of black spot of grapevine, which causes significant damage in vineyards in Montenegro.
"Practical application of the scientific results presented in these papers refers to the possibility of predicting this disease and avoiding unnecessary treatments of the vine. The developed model of the prognosis is based on the knowledge of the biological cycle of the phytopathogenic fungus, the phenophase of the development of the vine and the weather conditions necessary for the realization of the infection ", Professor Latinović states.
Damage from black spot, he adds, is reflected in the lag of vines in growth, reduction of fertility potential and shortening the lifespan of vines. Grape shoots are most affected, in their lower part, where first spots appear, and then cracks that cause the shoots to break and the buds to die. Symptoms on the leaves are manifested by spots surrounded by a yellow halo, and deformation and cracking of the leaf can also occur.
The bilateral project within which the research was conducted is entitled "Decision support systems based on a web platform to improve sustainability of the wine sector in Montenegro and Italy (VITISUST)", and had been funded by the Ministry of Science.
More detailed information at:
https://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/10.1094/PDIS-12-20-2639-RE
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2022.872333/full