AREA II. Vegetative material and viticulture management
Project 8:

Virus and phytoplasma - resistant material

In Chile, a physiological disorder in the Merlot variety has been observed over the last few years. Such disorder is usually detected near harvest time, generating yield reductions that may vary between 20% and 80%.

It also results in important losses in wine quality due to the decrease in the degree of wine maturation, lack of coloring, excessive acidity and to the generation of flawed aromas.

That is why this project intends to evaluate the incidence of viral pathogens and phytoplasma in grapevines, associated to a decrease in productivity due to physiological disorders such as premature dehydration and color alterations. This information shall be used to predict the impact on the infected vineyard, evaluate the possible affection of other varieties and define guidelines for the eradication or control of the disease.

Project Length: 3 years