«Phaeoacremonium chlamydosporum» and « Phaeoacremonium angustius» Associated with Esca and Grapevine Decline in «Vinho Verde» Grapevines in Northwes Portugal

Abstract

Vinho Verde is a unique wine, exclusively produced in the northwest region of Portugal. The production of this wine is an important component of portuguese agriculture. The aims of the present work were to make a preliminary assessment of the presence of esca and grapevine decline in the Vinho Verde region, and to check for the presence of Phaeoacremonium spp. in diseased plants. The results showed that esca and grapevine decline do occur in the Vinho Verde region, and can be widespread in this region. From ten diseased grapevines we isolated nine strains of P. chlamydosporum, and one strain as P. angustius. Our results agree with other reports that P. chlamydosporum is frequently isolated from the wood of grapevines showing symptoms of esca or grapevine decline. P. aleophilum and P. inflatipes were not isolated from the plants examined in the present study. Instead, P. angustius was isolated from a diseased plant.