Sanitary status of the Eurasian wild grapevine in the South Caucasian region

A prospecting on the sanitary status of the aerial organs and roots of the Eurasian wild grapevine, Vitis vinifera L. ssp. sylvestris (Gmelin) Hegi, was carried out on 14 natural populations situated along river bank forests, floodplains and colluvial positions in Georgia (Marneuli, Mtskheta and Gori districts, Gardabani Protected area and Lagodekhi Reserve), Armenia (Akhtala and Tavoush regions) and Azerbaijan (Quba region). These zones are included within the Holarctic kingdom, Eurosiberian region, and to the Caucasian, Euxine and Hyrcanian biogeographical provinces. The results of study indicate that roots are free of symptoms caused by phylloxera, rot fungi and root-knot nematodes. Symptoms caused by the erineum strain of Colomerus vitis (Pagenstecher) and Calepitrimerus vitis (Nalepa) (Acari, Eriophyidae) are frequent. On the other hand, damages caused by powdery and downy mildews, Erysiphe necator (Schweinitz) Burrill and Plasmopara viticola (Berkeley and Curtis) Berlease and de Toni), respectively, show an irregular intensity on leaves belonging to different vines from each location

Proposal for the wild grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. subsp. sylvestris (Gmelin) Hegi) conservation in the European countries

Annex

Ecological characterization of wild grapevine habitats focused on arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis

The European wild grapevine, Vitis vinifera L. ssp. sylvestris (Gmelin) Hegi, is cited as a dioecious relative of cultivated vines, so it can play an important role as phytogenetic resource. There is a lack on the knowledge about the susceptibility of wild grapevine to arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) association. In consequence, the aim of the present work is to confirm the presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AM) in the wild grapevine rhizosphere spread in different kinds of soils from 18 wild populations from Spain and France. On the other hand, the accompanying flora, the edaphic characteristics and the presence of parasitic organisms on vines were also determined. The spore density of mycorrhizal fungi in the rhizosphere of the selected plants was relatively low. However, the diversity of mycorrhizal fungi was quite high. The taxonomic diversity of AM observed is 56 taxa, 15 of which were identified to species and 41 to genus. Some morphotypes do not correspond to any of the species described up to now. Results indicate the important quality and ecological value in the sites studied and, in consequence, the necessity of their preservation

Locating hidden river courses via geo-technical investigation – application in the city of Granada, Spain

The diversion of natural river courses and subsequent filling by alluvial deposits or anthropic intervention has been hidden by urban development in the majority of the cities. The research we conducted involved monitoring the evolution of a river course and reconnaissance of the original morphology of the fluvial systems. Our research was applied to the section of the River Beiro that flows through the city of Granada, Spain. The research has been carried out using geo-technical methodology based on reconnaissance via dynamic penetration. This allowed us to determine the different degrees of consolidation and compaction in the areas corresponding with the former course of the river, which are now filled by alluvial deposits. In addition, we have backed up our findings with information provided by historical maps of the city of Granada. The results have identified an area wherein buildings are at risk, as evidenced by the detrimental effects registered in the buildings in this area

Natural predatory enemies of the erineum strain of Colomerus vitis (Pagenstecher) (Acari, Eriophyidae) found on wild grapevine populations from southern Spain (Andalusia)

The Eurasian wild grapevine, Vitis vinifera L. subspecies sylvestris (Gmelin,) Hegi constitutes a dioecious relative of cultivated grape varieties. It constitutes an important phytogenetic resource, threatened by human activities. The most frequent phytophagous species on this European wild vine is the erineum strain of Colomerus vitis (Pagenstecher) (Acari, Eryophyidae). The aim of the present paper is to identify the natural enemies of the cited mite in wild grapevine populations situated in southern Spain. Results indicated that such kind of predatory biocenosis is integrated by Phytoseiidae (Euseius stipulatus, Kampimodromus sp., Neoseiulella litoralis, Phytoseiulus persimilis, Typhloseiella isotricha, Typhlodromus phialatus, Typhlodromus rhenanoides), Tydeidae (Orthotydeus caudatus,Tydeus caudatus), and dipteran, Cecidomyiidae (Arthrocnodax vitis).

Evolution of the spatio-temporal distribution of Xylotrechus arvicola (Olivier) (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) in La Rioja vineyard (Spain)

Xylotrechus arvicola (Olivier) (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) is a polyphagous species. Its larvae can be found feeding on different wooden cultivars and wild trees. Since 1990, this pest has become an important sanitary problem affecting vineyards in northern and central Spain (2000-2008). A study based on the distribution of the number of exit holes perforated by adults in the vinestocks was carried out for 9 years in a plot located in La Rioja wine producing region (Spain). The percentage of affected plants grew each year, from 51 % in 2004 to a level of 96 % in 2008. In 2005, dead vines began to appear with damage caused by the insect. In 2008 it increased to 17 % of the vines. This data indicated a very heavy attack of the insect which is becoming a very serious pest.The number of exit holes is directly related to the number of affected vinestocks and also dead plants. The spatial distribution of the holes of X. arvicola was studied using Taylor´s Potential Law and Iwao´s regression, as well as elaborating maps of population density. Statistical techniques indicated a uniform distribution of the pest in the sampling plot. During the cited period, several aggregation centers could be observed with a long term spatio-temporal stability using the Cramér-Von Mises test.

Wild grapevine populations in the Ossa-Morena mountain range (Portugal-Spain): Location, characterization and sanitary state

Research Note

Assessment of pollen dimorphism in populations of Vitis vinifera L. subsp. sylvestris (Gmelin) Hegi in Spain

A comparative scanning electron microscopy study and biometric analysis of pollen of 14 Spanish Vitis vinifera L. subsp. sylvestris (Gmelin) Hegi populations was performed. In all the investigated populations pollen grains show a marked degree of dimorphism. Pollen grains from male flowers are prolate spheroidal and tricolporate in shape, while the pollen grains from female flowers are spheroidal to oval, unaperturate, with no colpi.

Les parasites des populations de la vigne sylvestre, Vitis vinifera silvestris (Gmelin) Hegi des Pyrénées Atlantiques (France)

Research NoteThe pests of the wild grapevine, Vitis vinifera silvestris (Gmelin) Hegi, populations in the Atlantic Pyrenees (France)Several populations of Vitis vinifera silvestris (Gmelin) Hegi have been localized and identified in the Department of Pyrenees Atlantiques (SW of France). Nowadays, this subspecies of V. vinifera is being collected in germplasm banks in order to conserve this genetic material which also could be used in grapevine breeding. According to our field observations, the ''Erineum strain'' of Colomerus vitis (Pagenstecher) (Acari: Eriophyidae) is the pest of the widest distribution and importance in these wild populations