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Pierce's Disease
Research Updates

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What is Pierce's Disease?

Pierce's Disease is a bacterial infection, which is spread by bugs that feed on grapevines, particularly the "glassy winged sharpshooter." Grapevines that become infected with PD can quickly become sick and die.

glassy-winged sharpshooter

Ultrastructure of pit membrane dissolution and movement of Xylella fastidiosa through pit membranes in petioles of Vitis vinifera

  • Author(s): Clark, S; Cobb, BG; Ellis, EA; McEachern, GR;
  • Abstract: Xylella fastidiosa is the causative agent in Pierce's disease (PD) in Vitis vinifera L. (grape) vines. Xylella fastidiosa colonizes and disseminates itself from one xylem element to another by dissolution and breach of pit membranes. These studies on naturally infected V. vinifera grown under vineyard conditions document by transmission electron microscopy that there is dissolution and breach of pit membranes by X. fastidiosa in vertical and lateral colonization in PD. These processes were documented in two cultivars of V. vinifera: 'Syrah' and 'Cabernet Sauvignon.'
  • Publication Date: Jun 2010
  • Journal: Botany-Botanique

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