Association of Botryosphaeriaceae grapevine trunk disease fungi with the reproductive structures of Vitis vinifera

Several species belonging to the Botryosphaeriaceae were isolated from grapevine (Vitis vinifera) tissue other than wood during a survey of two vineyards planted to cultivars 'Chardonnay' and 'Shiraz' in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia over the 2007/08 and 2008/09 growing seasons. A total of 188 isolates corresponding to nine different species of Diplodia, Dothiorella and Neofusicoccum anamorphs were isolated from dormant buds, flowers, pea-sized berries and mature berries prior to harvest in addition to 142 isolates from the trunks of the same vines. Furthermore, the occurrence of Dothiorella viticola, Diplodia mutila and Neofusicoccum australe is reported here for the first time from grapevines in the Hunter Valley. These findings may provide important information for the management and spread of Botryosphaeriaceae in vineyards where they are considered serious wood-invading pathogens. Botryosphaeriaceae are occasionally found on bunches, however, until now they have not directly been related to bunch rots. Control strategies for trunk diseases caused by Botryosphaeriaceae are currently limited to remedial surgery and wound protection. These strategies do not consider other grapevine tissue as potential inoculum sources for infection of Botryosphaeriaceae in the vineyard.