Grapevine leafroll-associated viruses explained

Grapevine leafroll-associated virus (GLRaV) is a name for a group of viruses that infect grapevine.^[1]

Obscure mealybugs (Pseudococcus viburni) feed on the phloem of vines and woody-stemmed plants, especially pear and apple trees and grape vines.^[2] Some individuals are vectors for infectious pathogens and can transmit them from plant to plant while feeding; mealybug-spread grapevine leafroll associated virus type III (GRLaV-3), in particular, has wreaked havoc among the grapes of New Zealand, reducing the crop yield of infected vineyards by up to 60%.^[3]

The biggest problems in Grapevine Leafroll Disease are reduced grape yield, altered grape ripening, and altered grape chemistry.^[4] Leafroll viruses are associated with rugose wood condition of grapevine.^[5]

Notes and References

1. Maree HJ, Almeida RP, Bester R, Chooi KM, Cohen D, Dolja VV, Fuchs MF, Golino DA, Jooste AE, Martelli GP, Naidu RA, Rowhani A, Saldarelli P, Burger JT . Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 . Front Microbiol . 4 . 82 . 2013 . 23596440 . 3627144 . 10.3389/fmicb.2013.00082 . free .
2. Varela et al. (2006), p.2
3. Hamlet (2005), p. 1
4. Naidu . Rayapati A. . Maree . Hans J. . Burger . Johan T. . Grapevine Leafroll Disease and Associated Viruses: A Unique Pathosystem . . . 53 . 1 . 2015-08-04 . 0066-4286 . 10.1146/annurev-phyto-102313-045946 . 613–634 . 26243729 . 207664436. free .
5. Irma . Tomažič . Irena . Mavrič Pleško . Nataša . Petrovič . Maja . Ravnikar . Zora . Korošec-Koruza . Introduction of Grapevine virus B and Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 2 testing in sanitary selection of grapevine . Acta Agriculturae Slovenica . 91 . 1 . 75–85 . 2008 . 10.2478/v10014-008-0008-3 . free .