Page 35 - Grapevine July-August 2015

Around The Vineyard

Update on Grapevine Red
Blotch Associated Virus
Biology and Detection By Judit Monis, Ph.D.

E urofins STA Laboratories has been testing Grapevine red blotch associated virus is different
for Grapevine red blotch associated virus from most other known grapevine infecting virus-
(GRBaV) since its discovery in 2012. Many es in that its genetic material is DNA, rather than
of you may be familiar with special internet page RNA. The virus is associated with the presence of
(http://www.eurofinsus.com/sta-laboratories/grape- red, blotchy leaves and reduced sugar content in
vineplant-disease/grapevine-red-blotch-disease/) we red fruited grape varieties. Hence, the names of the
created to compile useful information about Red disease and the virus, Red Blotch and Grapevine
Blotch Disease including a link to a comprehensive red blotch associated virus, respectively. Progress
photo gallery showing Red Blotch symptoms in has been made in the genetic characterization,
grapevines of many different wine grape varieties. structure, and most importantly the completion of
I am also very active doing presentations (links to Koch’s postulates of GRBaV. Both the molecular
our webinar recordings can be found by visiting our and structural characterization places GRBaV in the
website). Geminiviridae family. The completion of Koch’s

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