Trap plants reduces grapevine yellows disease incidence in commercial vineyards

The host plant Vitex agnus-castus attractiveness to the “stolbur” phytoplasma vector Hyalesthes obsoletus was exploited to study application methods of trap plants in order to reduce yellows disease incidence in vineyards. Following the introduction of the trap plants in vineyards, infestation level was reduced. The effect on plot infestation level diminishes with distance from trap plants and varies depending on the trap plant biomass. There is also indication of trap plant effect joined with wind direction. The grapevine yellows disease can be controlled in Israel conditions by means of trap plants that lure the vector.