Potential impacts of the ring nematode, Mesocriconema xenoplax, on grapevines in British Columbia: A microplot study

Citation

Forge, T., Smit, R., Neilsen, D., Neilsen, G. (2021). Potential impacts of the ring nematode, Mesocriconema xenoplax, on grapevines in British Columbia: A microplot study. Journal of Nematology, [online] 52 1-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.21307/jofnem-2020-086

Plain language summary

The wine grape industry in the Okanagan Valley of BC has grown substantially in the past three decades in terms of acreage and economic benefits. Plant-parasitic nematodes are soil-dwelling microscopic roundworms that are pests of many types of crops including grapevines. The ring nematode, Mesocriconema xenoplax, which is a significant pest in older grape-growing regions, was recently been found to be widespread in Okanagan vineyards. In order to measure the effects of a local population of this nematode on the types of vines grown in the Okanagan, the researchers inoculated root zone soil of self-rooted ‘Merlot’ vines and ‘Merlot’ vines that had been grafted onto 3309C, 44-53 and Riparia Gloire rootstocks. They then compared growth of the inoculated vines to those that were not inoculated over four years under field conditions. The researchers found that the ring nematodes multiplied to comparable levels on all rootstocks, indicating that none of them were resistant to the ring nematodes. The nematodes suppressed growth of the self-rooted ‘Merlot’ vines by 58%, and trunk diameter by 40% over the four years. Trunk growth of 3309C rootstock also was reduced by 45%, but growth of the other rootstocks were not as severely affected. The results suggest that ring nematodes are likely affecting vineyard health and productivity in the region, but that rootstocks may vary in their tolerance to the nematodes and selection of rootstocks should be considered in future vineyard replant management programs.

Abstract

The Okanagan Valley of British Columbia hosts a wine grape industry that has grown substantially in the past three decades in terms of both acreage and economic benefit to the region. The ring nematode, Mesocriconema xenoplax, has recently been found to be widespread in vineyard soils in the region. This study used field microplots to assess the potential impacts of a local population of M. xenoplax on the first four years growth of either self-rooted 'Merlot' or 'Merlot' vines grafted onto three commonly used rootstocks: 3309C, 44-53M, and Riparia Gloire. The population of M. xenoplax multiplied to comparable levels on self-rooted vines and all rootstocks, indicating that none of the vine genotypes were resistant to M. xenoplax. Inoculation with M. xenoplax reduced cumulative pruning weights of self-rooted vines by 58%. Inoculation with M. xenoplax reduced trunk cross-sectional areas of 3309C by 45% and that of self-rooted vines by 38%, whereas it did not affect trunk cross-sectional areas of 44-53 or Riparia Gloire, indicating differing levels of rootstock tolerance to M. xenoplax. Our data suggest that M. xenoplax is likely impacting vineyard health and productivity in the region, and the selection of rootstocks and management practices to minimize impacts of this nematode should be considered in future vineyard replant management programs.

Publication date

2021-01-01

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