An assessment method for the quantification of <i>Daktulosphaira vitifoliae</i> (Fitch) (Hem., Phylloxeridae) populations in the field

Abstract

Abstract: Grape phylloxera is a plant parasite that has started to become a pest again in European viticulture in spite of the use of grafted rootstocks. Since the middle of the 1980s, there have been various reports of vine damage caused by phylloxera. It was shown that in some cases there is no direct correlation between the occurrence of phylloxera and vine damage. In this context, phytopathogenic microorganisms, especially fungi, are mentioned in literature. To investigate the possible interactions it is necessary to be able to assess phylloxera populations in the field, e.g. to correlate phylloxera abundance with the vigour of the vines. Because of the non‐homogenous distribution of the grape roots in the soil and of phylloxera on the roots, a method that meets these conditions was established. For the root sampling, a method that ensures reproducible numbers and a high probability of root detection was developed. The second component of the method is a ranking system for the visual assessment of the populations. For the validation of the assessment system, the absolute number of phylloxera feeding sites, all phylloxera instars and phylloxera eggs were related to the weight of fresh and dry roots. The statistical analysis has shown a significant differentiation between the assessment classes (P ≤ 0.01). Furthermore, a correlation ( R 2 = 0.732) between the phylloxera populations, assessed with this method, and soil temperatures could be shown. Such a correlation was shown in various studies and, therefore, supports the validity of the assessment system presented in this paper.