Healthy Rootstock Cuttings are Essential for the International Nursery Industry

Abstract

Rootstock cuttings infected with latent Grapevine Trunk Diseases (GTD’s) pathogens are a major problem for nurseries. These fungal pathogens include several species of the genera Phaeoacremonium, Phaeomoniella, Cadophora, Dactylonectria, Ilyonectria, Diaporthe and the family Botryosphaeriaceae. Infected rootstock cuttings can cause losses of up to 60 % during propagation and post planting, and can be a reservoir of disease in the vineyard. This article presents a protocol for sanitary production of rootstock cuttings and is a guide to improving health of the grafted vine, and the profitability of nurseries and vineyards.