The Influence of Climatic Conditions on Downy Mildew and Powdery Mildew in Târnave Vineyard

Abstract

The main diseases that affect the vineyards in the Târnave vineyard are: grapevine downy mildew caused by Plasmopara viticola and grapevine powdery mildew caused by Uncinula necator. The present study aimed to address the relationship between grapevine cultivars and the main diseases, downy mildew and powdery mildew, according to climatic variability and treatments applied. The analysis was carried out over two consecutive years 2021 and 2022 on five new cultivars, the creation of SCDVV Blaj: Selena, Blasius, Rubin, Radames and Brumăriu. Disease attack was determined during the vegetation period, until harvest. Cultivar susceptibility varied, some cultivars were relatively tolerant and no cultivar was highly resistant to both diseases. In addition, a difference between foliar and grape berry susceptibility to the two diseases was observed for several cultivars. This data provide a basis for developing low-treatment disease management strategies for specific grapevine cultivars based on downy mildew and powdery mildew susceptibility/tolerance.

Keywords

• climatic conditions
• downy mildew
• powdery mildew
• grapevines, cultivars
• târnave vineyards