Accurate diagnosis of plant pathogens and timely corrective action are critical for maintaining the health of your vines. We offer a new, forensic plant pathology service, which utilises the expert knowledge of our research team, viticulture consultants and preferred partners.
Our Viticulture and Diagnostic teams will visit your vineyard to consider soil conditions, health and stress status of vines and along with any other contributing factors which may have led to the onset of disease.
- Site visit analysis and sample collection
- Laboratory identification of harmful pathogens
- Review of vineyard management practices
- Diagnosis of disease(s)
- Strategy and recommendations for remedial action
Site visits to examine:
- Environmental triggers leading to diseases e.g. soil compaction
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Disease symptoms
- Disease incidence and severity
- Sampling of vines displaying moderate and severe health problems. Healthy vine samples are also collected.
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Soil selection from the root zone of diseased and healthy vines for:
- Fungal diseases and species diversity (PCR testing)
- Nutrient availability and nutrient pools
- The assessment of fungi, bacteria and protozoa
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Analysis of vine samples to check for:
- Fungal diseases (Botryosphaeria, Cylindrocarpon, Petri disease, Phomopsis, blackspot, Botrytis, E utypa, esca), and species diversity
- Viral diseases
- Bacterial disease e.g. crown gall, Pierces disease
Comprehensive written report with recommendations for:
- Integrated management of the disease using sustainable practices
- Long-term prevention using an integrated approach
- Recommendations for fertiliser, soil amendments and the input of biologicals for improving soil biology and health
- Testing the effectiveness of a new product by measuring the fungal populations inside the vine
- Testing mulches, compost, compost teas for grapevine pathogens
- Diagnosing insect damage and identifying insects including grass grub, black beetle, cicada, weevil, lemon tree borer, mites, scale and mealy bug
- Advice on converting the vineyard from conventional to sustainable viticulture
- Integrated pest management advice
Diagnostic consultancy
