Epidemiological surveys were performed in Northern Sardinia (Italy) in a 10-year-old vineyard affected by “Bois noir” disease. Samples collected between May and October 2003 from chlorotic and stunted weeds belonging to 14 different taxonomic groups were indexed molecularly for detection of phytoplasmas. Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays using primers specific for the phytoplasma 16SrDNA gene showed three of six Calendula arvensis, one of two Solanum nigrum, and one of seven Chenopodium spp. assayed positive. Restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses and sequencing of amplified 16SrDNA fragments identified a putative phytoplasma in the ribosomal subgroup 16SrII-E. Further characterization of the rps3 gene, coding a ribosomal protein, confirmed the identification. However, the weeds and leafhop-per species collected in the vineyard tested negative by PCR assays for the Stolbur phytoplasma, the causal agent of “Bois noir”. This is the first report of a phytoplasma of the 16SrII-E subgroup infecting C. arvensis, S. nigrum, and Chenopodium spp.
-A study was made on the recovery genotypes local grapevine with the aim to conserve them and to evaluate their health status and thus to improve the quality of the propagation material. Clone accessions of 61 vines were grafted and placed in a germoplasma field. The varieties that were considered enologically valuable were subjected to sanitary selection. Some vines showed indubitable healthy qualities, and should be immediately evaluated from an economical point view and then certificated. Possible sanitation treatments were also evaluated, with the aim of extending the number clone accessions to be included in experimental trials to access their yield .
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