Botryosphaeria spp. as Grapevine Trunk Disease Pathogens

Abstract

Several species of Botryosphaeria, including Botryosphaeria dothidea, B. obtusa, B. parva and B. australis, were isolated and/or described from declining grapevines in association with a wide range of decline and dieback symptoms. Internal wood symptoms most commonly included black streaking, wedge-shaped necrosis and brown internal necrosis. Several diseases under names such as excoriose, grapevine decline syndrome and black dead arm have been described for decline and dieback symptoms associated with Botryosphaeria. This has led to the confusing situation where the same symptoms and causal species are often associated with more than one disease. This review summarises the research on Botryosphaeria on grapevine by focusing on the causal species, their associated symptoms, known epidemiology and possible effective control and management strategies.