Overview
This survey provides the first documented evidence of botryosphaeria and eutypa dieback in Kangaroo Island vineyards, establishing baseline incidence data across 12 vineyards, 59 blocks and 17 grape varieties. Dieback symptoms (dead spur positions, wedge-shaped dead wood) were recorded in 10 of 12 vineyards, with incidence in affected blocks ranging from 1–45%; eutypa-specific foliar symptoms occurred in 2 vineyards (1–33% incidence). Incidence increased with vine age. Laboratory diagnosis identified Botryosphaeriaceae species as the main cause of dieback, with Eutypa lata confirmed in three vineyards. Although severity was low at the time, the report warns that without intervention, trunk disease will progressively reduce vine productivity, as seen in older South Australian regions, and provides growers with practical wound-protection and remedial-surgery recommendations.
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