Mixed infecting of grapevine with viruses in the commercial vineyards of the Crimean Peninsula

Abstract

Viral infections cause the reduction of yields and efficiency of vine cultivation in all viticultural regions of the world. Simultaneous infecting with several viruses, the so-called mixed infection, can significantly increase the severity of symptoms. The article presents the results of study of mixed infecting of grapevine with viruses in the vineyards of the Crimean Peninsula during 2011-2020. More than 800 grapevine samples of 153 varieties selected in 23 vineyards of the Crimea were analyzed over the entire period of study. Presence of phytopathogenic viruses in the samples was determined by RT-PCR using virus specific primers. The share of 25.5 % of all the samples tested gave positive result for one or more of the following viruses: GFLV, GLRaV-1, GLRV-2, GLRaV-3, GFkV, GVA, GRSPaV, ArMV, GFLV. During the process of studyno vines affected by GVB virus were identified. Single-agent infection was found in 20% of the examined vines. The amount of vines affected by mixed infection was 5.48 % of all tested. In a mixed viral infection more common combinations are: GRSPaV/GFkV; GVA/GRSPaV; GVA/GLRaV-1/GRSPaV; GVA/GLRaV-3/GRSPaV. Vines were infected the most with GRSPaV and GFkV viruses, which is visually manifested in the form of mosaic leaf variegation, leaf chlorosis and the appearance of necrotic spots.