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Retrospection of the 4th International Workshop on Grapevine Trunk Diseases (IWGTD), 20 - 21 January 2005
By Francois Halleen1 and Paul Fourie2
1 Plant Protection Division, ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij, Private Bag X5026, Stellenbosch 7599
2 Department Plant Pathology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602
Dr Michael Fischer of the Staatliches Weinbauinstitut Freiburg, Germany, during a vineyard visit at Nietvoorbij. Dr Fischer is considered as the world's leading expert on the identification of Basiodiomycete fungi (wood rotting fungi) that are involved in the fungal complex that causes the grapevine disease Esca. On the photo Dr Fischer indicates where the fruit structures of the wood rotting fungi may be found.
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The Plant Pathology Department of Stellenbosch University and Plant Protection Division of ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij were the proud hosts of the 4th International Workshop on Grapevine Trunk Diseases (IWGTD) with the theme 'Esca and Grapevine Declines'. The workshop, which was held in the Endler Conservatoire, was arranged by Dr Paul Fourie, Dr Ulrike Damm, Jan van Niekerk (chairman, treasurer and secretary of the organising committee, respectively, and all involved in the grapevine trunk disease research programme at the Plant Pathology Department) and Francois Halleen (vice-chairman), senior plant pathologist of the Plant Protection Division at ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij. The workshop was attended by 91 delegates from 15 countries, including Argentina (1), Australia (9), Chile (3), France (7), Germany (3), Greece (1), Hungary (1), Italy (7), New Zealand (10), Portugal (2), South Africa (21), Spain (6), Switzerland (4), the Netherlands (4) and the USA (12). Generous sponsorship by the South African Society for Enology and Viticulture, on behalf of a Winetech Technology Transfer project, enabled the organisers to invite Prof. Antonio Graniti (Esca expert from Italy), Prof. Laura Mugnai (Chairman of the 'International Council on Grapevine Trunk Diseases' and Esca expert from Italy) and Dr Michael Fischer (Basidiomycete expert from Germany) as keynote speakers.
Various researchers, industry representatives and viticulturists visited ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij during the IWGTD. Francois Halleen (senior plant pathologist, Plant Protection Division) took the visitors to vineyards on the Nietvoorbij campus where trunk diseases could be viewed from close proximity. L.t.r. are Dr Mark Sosnowski (South Australian Research and Development Institute, Australia), Dr Jacky Edwards (Department of Primary Industries, Australia), Francois Halleen, Anthony Somers (New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Australia), Lucie Morton (Morton Viticulture, VSA), Prof. Laura Mugnai (Dipartimento Biotecnologie Agrarie-Patologia Vegetale, Italy) and Dr Trevor Wicks (South Australian Research and Development Institute, Australia).
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Dr Ulrike Damm (Plant Pathology, Stellenbosch University) with personnel and students of Plant Pathology at Stellenbosch University who assisted during the workshop. L.t.r. Dr Ulrike Damm, Tammy McLean, Lizeth Swart, Jean de Waal and Sonja Coertze.
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Altogether 82 scientific papers were presented, 35 in the form of lectures and 47 as posters. New research results were disclosed in various sessions dealing with Identification and Detection of Pathogens, Host-Pathogen Interactions, Epidemiology and Disease Management, with specific emphasis on Esca in all its different forms, Petri disease ('black goo'), as well as other relevant trunk pathogens such as Eutypa lata, Botryosphaeria and Phomopsis species. Much progress has been made with regard to knowledge about the different pathogens involved in the various diseases and our understanding of these complex diseases has been broadened. New information that emerged during the workshop will serve as a basis for the planning of future research projects. All the papers and posters that were presented at the workshop will be published in a special edition of the scientific journal Phytopathologia Mediterranea. For more details please contact laura.mugnai@unifi.it or phfourie@sun.ac.za.
Prof. Antonio Graniti (University of Bari, Italy), one of the keynote speakers (middle), in conversation with Dr Walter Gams (left) and Dr Richard Summerbell (right) of the Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures (CBS), Netherlands. Dr Gams is one of the world's best known fungal taxonomists and is "responsible" for the names Phaeomoniella and Phaeoacremonium, which are used by plant pathologists all over the world to identify the fungi causing Petri Disease and Esca.
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"International collaboration" being celebrated at the dinner of the 4th IWGTD. L.t.r. are Pascal Lecomte (INRA, France), Prof. Pedro Crous (CBS, Netherlands), Jan van Niekerk (Plant Pathology, Stellenbosch University), Dr Walter Gams (CBS, Netherlands), Dr Paul Fourie (Plant Pathology, Stellenbosch University), Francois Halleen (ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij) and Dr Philippe Larignon (ITV, France).
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Winemaker Philip Jonker (Weltevrede Estate, Bonnievale) in the cellar, informing visitors about the challenges facing viticulturists and winemakers in the Breede River Valley. The visitors were especially impressed by the terroir-specific Chardonnays made by Philip.
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Once the scientific programme was concluded, delegates were entertained at Moyo Restaurant on Spier Estate in Stellenbosch where traditional African dishes and excellent South African wines were served. A sightseeing trip, the so-called "Route 62 Road Trip" was arranged for the Saturday and Sunday, with 70 of the visitors touring from Stellenbosch via Helshoogte, Du Toitskloof Pass, Worcester and Robertson to Bonnievale, where an impressive tasting was conducted by Philip Jonker at Weltevrede Estate. On Saturday evening the visitors were treated to a traditional South African spitbraai at Avalon Springs Hotel in Montagu, whereafter everyone spent the night at Montagu Springs Resort. Sunday we went to Swellendam via Barrydale and the Tradouw Pass, with 45 delegates going on to Hartenbos where they attended the 43rd congress of the Southern African Association for Plant Pathology. The remainder of the party returned to Stellenbosch.
It was a privilege for the local research team to be involved in the organisation of such an important international event. Excellent contacts were made and several collaboration agreements are currently being discussed with overseas research groups. Apart from these contacts (and friendships) and collaboration agreements, various research priorities were identified in the local grapevine trunk disease research programmes.
- Firstly it was clear that, apart from the primary Petri disease pathogens that can initiate Esca, the wood rotting pathogens causing Esca disease in South Africa differ from those in other countries of the world.
- The role of toxins in Esca and other diseases such as Petri disease and Eutypa are not properly understood in the South African context.
- Stress plays a significant role in trunk diseases, but the host-pathogen-environment interactions are not clearly understood yet.
- In most instances deterioration and dieback of vines is a syndrome caused by a complex of pathogens. Only in a few instances therefore can disease diagnosis identify a single pathogen as the primary cause.
- Grapevine trunk diseases cause quantitative and qualitative crop losses in all wine-growing countries in the world. Effective control depends on the prevention of infection in nurseries and vineyards, and is in most instances based on wound protection.
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