Integrated management of grapevine trunk diseases: recent advances and practical application in the vineyard

Abstract

Grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs) are among the main phytosanitary threats to vineyard sustainability because of their widespread distribution, complex aetiology, associated yield losses and reduction of vineyard lifespan. Their management remains particularly difficult, as no effective curative measures are available and prevention is still the most reliable strategy for limiting new infections and delaying symptom development. This presentation provides an updated, technical and applied overview of the main advances in GTD management throughout the production cycle, from the nursery to mature vineyards. It reviews critical points of pathogen infection and spread, and the importance of planting material and propagation practices in the early introduction of these fungi. Particular attention is given to alternatives to synthetic chemicals in nurseries, including biological control agents and hot-water treatment, as well as field strategies such as biofumigation. Preventive vineyard management will then be discussed, especially pruning, wound protection and inoculum reduction. Recent research on biological control agents, the effect of pruning time on natural wound infection and the efficacy of different wound-protection strategies will be presented. Finally, the role of pruning debris as a potential inoculum source will be considered within an integrated control strategy. The aim is to provide the sector with a practical synthesis of the measures currently supported by the strongest experimental evidence and how they can be incorporated into programmes adapted to real vineyard conditions.

References

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7. Gramaje, D. Integrated Management of Grapevine Trunk Diseases: Recent Advances and Practical Application in the Vineyard. Recording of the presentation delivered at Enoforum Spain 2026, Zaragoza, 20–21 May 2026. Available soon on Infowine Premium: https://vinidea.it/es/brand/infowine/