Skip to main navigation Skip to main content

This site uses cookies

We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our website.
  • Home
  • Projects
  • The three Rs – Rootstock, Resistance and Resilience to grape phylloxera
Back
Contemporary

The three Rs – Rootstock, Resistance and Resilience to grape phylloxera

This page contains information about our current research projects and programs, reports from our completed projects, and tells you how to access our funding and report back to us if you are funded. Browse the listing or search for particular topics.

Final Report
Download
PDF 10.1MB

Overview

The report should be read as background knowledge rather than current guidance, as substantial research has been conducted since publication; refer to more recent research and other Wine Australia resources. At the time, field screening at four Victorian sites, combined with earlier laboratory and glasshouse data, ranked up to 13 rootstocks for resistance to multiple Phylloxera strains. Phylloxera was detected in the field for the first time on Ramsey and 110 Richter, and Börner showed some field susceptibility despite strong laboratory resistance. A cold-treatment protocol achieved rapid Phylloxera mortality in white grape juice, and targeted soil-conductivity surveys helped locate an undetected infestation.

This report describes the research and extension activities of a GWRDC-funded project (co-funded by DPI-Victoria and PGIBSA) on phylloxera research and management conducted during the period December 2008-December 2011. Increased scientific knowledge of grapevine phylloxera, obtained during the project period was passed on to stakeholders at all levels, both nationally and internationally. The research activities conducted allowed the development of improved management practices particularly through an in-depth understanding of the interactions between phylloxera clonal lineages and rootstocks, leading to improved rootstock recommendations for Australian conditions. Other research activities undertaken included monitoring at a new phylloxera detection site, which improved our understanding of the population dynamics and relative risk of dispersal of a highly virulent phylloxera genetic lineage. A targeted early phylloxera detection system was evaluated in the Yarra Valley region at three field sites. Further scientific validation of this technology over a range of grape-growing regions may ultimately lead to an enhanced surveillance program for phylloxera. An improved awareness of the impact of pH, sugar concentration, cold temperature, sulphur dioxide and white juice on grape phylloxera survival may lead to improved quarantine protocols for white juice disinfestations.

Abstract

The overall aim of this research project was to focus on four phylloxera management
strategies: detection, quarantine, rootstock selection and awareness, in order to minimise the risk of phylloxera spreading within and between quarantine regions in Australia.

Member content

This content is restricted to wine exporters and levy payers.

Reports are also available for one-off purchase to non-members.

Click here to find out more.