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Phytoplasmas are probably one of the least investigated of all diseases on grapevine in Serbia. Even though significant number of plants with symptoms typical for phytoplasmatic diseases had been registered for the past 15 years, serious attention had never been payed to this problem. Preliminary survey in Serbia during 2003-2004 confirmed presence and continuous spread of most destructive grapevine phytoplasma Flavescence dorée (FD), as well as its vector Scaphoideus titanus (Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadellidae). Besides FD, in several regions of Serbia presence and dispersal of Stolbur phytoplasma was also registered. All grapevine phytoplasmas are on EPPO A2 quarantine list (European and Mediterranean Plant protection Organization). In 2004, between August 30 and November 3, a total of 116 vineyards were inspected in regions: Župa Aleksandrovac, Vršac, Bela Crkva, Belgrade sorrounding, western Šumadija, Fruška Gora, Požarevac, D. Milanovac and Kladovo. Presence and population density of Scaphoideus titanus were monitored on each locality, especially where plants with phytoplasmatic symptoms were present. For molecular identification of pathogen causing systemic infection on grapevine, a total of 54 samples were taken from several localities with high percent of infected plants. Preliminary investigations of vector populations indicate high density on all localities, which has been expected, considering that control measures against this leafhopper in Serbia had never been carried out to date. Župa Aleksandrovac (focal point of FD in Serbia): according to anamnestic data taken from vineyards in villages Tuleš, Rudenice, Vitkovo, Stubal, Drenča, Novaci, Dašnica, Rataj, Vratari and Bobote, which includes around 2000 households, appearance of disease on grapevine with symptoms typical for FD had been reported to local authorities on several occasions since 1990. Presence of FD in Serbia has recently been officially confirmed (Duduk et al., 2004; Kuzmanović et al., 2004). Consequently, in these villages, due to presence of phytoplasma during past 15 years, over 800 ha of vineyards had been destroyed. Primary economic loses estimated in investment expenses reached 3,2 million euros. Secondary loses manifested in decreased production of vines and grape multiply overpass this amount. Considering rather complicated phytosanitary situation in vineyards of Zupa Aleksandrovac, this region is declared as focal point of FD. In 7 inspected vineyards, rate of infected plants with phytoplasmatic symptoms reached 20-25%, in 6 year old vineyards, while in older, up to 100%. According to hard phytosanitary situation registered, FD disease in vineyards of Zupa Aleksandrovac has clear attributes of epidemic. Phytosanitary assessment was based on visible symptoms on infected plants, expressed in second or third year after initial infection. Dense populations of Scaphoideus titanus were registered in whole region.
Niš, surrounding of village Vrelo (focal point of FD in Serbia): symptoms of grapevine yellow disease, i.e. redness of leaves indicating phytoplasmatic infection were registered for the first time, few years ago in village Vrelo and sorrounding region (Kuzmanović et al., 2004) Presence of FD phytoplasma on other locality outside Zupa Aleksandrovac, indicates possible new focal point, most probably as a consequence of distributing infected planting material.
Velika Drenova with surrounding: the fact that Velika Drenova, as center for production of planting material in Serbia, is distanced from focal point of FD in Zupa Aleksandrovac about 20 km, indicates potential threat of dramatic epidemiological situation in Serbia. In inspected mother plant vineyards of V. Drenova, Medvedja, Kukljin, Ribnik and Stalać, besides mass presence of FD vector, high rate of infected plants was registered as well, especially plants with typical phytoplasmatic symptoms on leaves. Systemic infection of plants (10-30%) was also registered in mother plant vineyards of V. Drenova and Medvedja, where the percent of infected plants on several sites was 70-100%. Presence of vector Scaphoideus titanus, was registered in all inspected vineyards. It’s worth noting that work on identification and confirmation of FD in region of village V. Drenova is of great importance for phytosanitary status of grapevine planting material, as well as, potential further spread of phytoplasma and its vector in Serbia. Southeast slope of Mt. Fruška Gora and Slankamen: presence of Scaphoideus titanus was registered on all localities. In inspected vineyards, infected plants with phytoplasmatic symptoms were registered in range of 8-15%, while 40% in vineyard near village Mutalj. Belgrade surrounding (Višnjica, Grocka, Umčari): Inspection in the field showed mass presence of vector Scaphoideus titanus on many localities east from Belgrade (Visnjica, Grocka, Ritopek, Pudarce, Umcari). Percent of phytoplasmatic plants ranged in average from 10 to 20%, while on locality Umcari it was 70%. There is a high number of private small extensive vineyards in wider surrounding of Belgrade, which slightly complicates thorough survey. Northeast Serbia: infected plants were registered near town Požarevac, D. Milanovac and Kladovo. Presence of vector Scaphoideus titanus was impossible to confirm, because field survey was carried out at the end of October. On the locality Kladovo, phytoplasma on bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis: Convolvulaceae) was frequently registered next to the grapevine plants with phytoplasmatic symptoms, which suggests possible presence of Stolbur phytoplasma on these vines. Southeast Banat: Presence of Scaphoideus titanus was registered in the whole area of southwest Banat, except in region of town Bela Crkva where it was not confirmed yet. Infected plants were scatered in vineyards. Presence of Stolbur phytoplasma in these areas was detected (Kuzmanovic et al., 2004). Northeast Šumadija (Mladenovac, Topola, Arandjelovac, Dibona): Out of 78 inspected vineyards, phytoplasmatic symptoms were registered only on several plants near the village Čumić (Topola). Considering that vineyards were examined at the end of October, it was not possible to determine the presence of vector S. titanus. In any case, phytosanitary situation in this area concerning phytoplasmatic plants is better, in comparison with other regions (south Sumadija, north Pomoravlje, Srem). |
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Department of Plant Pests, Institute for Plant Protection and Environment Belgrade Banatska 33, Zemun, tel/fax: 011 2611 762, E-mail: titanus_serbia@hotmail.com |
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