Grapevine Yellows: A Guide for Vine Health
Introduction
Growing grapes can be a rewarding experience, but it can also be frustrating when your vines start to turn yellow and die. One of the most common causes of yellowing vines is a disease called grapevine yellows. This article will help you identify and treat grapevine yellows disease so you can keep your vines healthy and productive.
What is Grapevine Yellows?
Grapevine yellows is a fatal disease that can affect all types of grapes. It is caused by a tiny organism called a phytoplasma, which is spread by leafhoppers and planthoppers. When these insects feed on an infected grapevine, they pick up the phytoplasma and then transmit it to other vines when they feed again.
Symptoms of Grapevine Yellows
Grapevine yellows disease causes a number of symptoms, including:
- Yellowing leaves
- Triangular-shaped leaves
- Dying shoot tips
- Brown and shriveled fruit
- Leathery leaves that break easily
These symptoms can be caused by other problems as well, so it is important to have your vines tested by a laboratory to confirm a diagnosis of grapevine yellows.
Treatment for Grapevine Yellows
There is no cure for grapevine yellows disease. Once a vine is infected, it will eventually die. However, you can take steps to prevent the disease from spreading to other vines. The most important step is to control the population of leafhoppers and planthoppers in your vineyard. You can do this by using insecticides, planting resistant grape varieties, and removing weeds and other plants that can harbor these insects.
Preventing Grapevine Yellows
In addition to controlling leafhoppers and planthoppers, there are a number of other things you can do to prevent grapevine yellows disease, including:
- Planting your vines at least 100 feet away from wooded areas
- Keeping your vineyard weed-free
- Inspecting your vines regularly for signs of disease
- Removing any infected vines immediately
Conclusion
Grapevine yellows is a serious disease, but it can be managed with proper care. By following the tips in this article, you can help keep your vines healthy and productive for years to come.
Additional Information
- For more information on grapevine yellows disease, visit the following websites:
- You can also contact your local Cooperative Extension office for more information and assistance.
