New Activities Helping Growers with Grapevine Viruses

The Pierce’s Disease and Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter Board set aside funding for two new activities to help the California winegrape industry in controlling grapevine viruses, especially grapevine red blotch virus and grapevine leafroll-associated virus type 3.

To support the industry’s need for clean plant material, the Board is providing $647,905 to UC Davis Foundation Plant Services to collect, propagate, and test industry-identified priority grapevine selections for protection in the new Foundation Greenhouse. 

The Board is also working with the National Academy of Sciences to explore conducting a review of the Board’s research portfolio related to the two viruses. The report will help direct future research funding decisions to address knowledge and management gaps to minimize the spread of and economic losses due to these viruses. For more information contact CDFA at: cdfa.ca.gov/pdcp (916) 900-5024.