EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS OF PIERCES DISEASE, AND MONITORING AND CONTROL MEASURES FOR PIERCES DISEASE IN KERN COUNTY

• Author(s): Hashim, Jennifer; Hill, Barry;
• Abstract: Vineyards in the 7 grape production areas of Kern Countys area wide management project were surveyed for PD again in 2004. Incidence of PD in the highly affected areas (General Beale and North) peaked in 2002, and declined dramatically in both 2003 and 2004. Treatments to reduce GWSS and to identify and remove PD infected vines each year were associated with these dramatic reductions. Survey and epidemiological data is being processed at CAMFER, a GIS-based research institute at U.C. Berkeley. More than 98% of the vines infected with Xylella fastidiosa in the recent epidemic in the General Beale area of Kern County were of the two most susceptible varieties: 6 Red Globe and 2 Crimson vineyards. Thirty-two other nearby or contiguous vineyards of four less susceptible varieties were almost unaffected. A hypothetical mechanism for this varietal difference is proposed.
• Publication Date: Dec 2004
• Journal: 2004 Pierce's Disease Research Symposium