1ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij, Private Bag X5026, Stellenbosch, 7599, South Africa
2Department of Genetics, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa
*Corresponding author e-mail: carstensr@arc.agric.za
Online published on 21 February, 2012.
Aster yellows (AY) phytoplasma disease was recently detected in South African vineyards. In order to monitor the incidence and spread of the disease, thirteen vineyards in the Vredendal region were surveyed during the 2010 and 2011 seasons for AY disease. Vineyards were visually inspected for AY symptoms and phytoplasma presence was confirmed by PCR assays. Preliminary results showed differences in AY disease incidences, ranging from 0.1% to 32.7% (2010 season) and from 0.2% to 62.2% (2011 season) within selected vineyards.
Disease incidence, spreading tempo of disease, Aster yellows phytoplasma
