Powdery Mildew on Grapevine (Uncinula Necator)

Uncinula necator, also known as powdery mildew, is a fungal pathogen that infects grapevines. This disease can cause significant economic losses in the grape industry due to decreased yield and grape quality. In this blog post, we will discuss the various stages involved in the development of the infection of U. necator.

The first stage of the infection is the germination of U. necator spores. These spores are spread by wind and can survive for extended periods in the soil or on plant debris. Once they land on the grapevine, they need to germinate in order to start the infection process. The spores are triggered to germinate by the presence of moisture on the plant's surface. The spores then produce a tube-like structure known as a germ tube, which penetrates the grapevine's cuticle and epidermal cells.

The next stage is the colonization of the plant tissue by the U. necator pathogen. Once the germ tube has penetrated the grapevine's cuticle and epidermal cells, it continues to grow and branch out, forming a network of hyphae. The hyphae are able to extract nutrients from the plant tissue, which allows the pathogen to establish itself in the grapevine. As the pathogen continues to colonize the grapevine tissue, it produces specialized structures known as haustoria, which are able to extract nutrients directly from the plant cells. The haustoria are able to penetrate the cell wall of the grapevine, forming a connection between the pathogen and the plant cell.

As the U. necator pathogen continues to colonize the grapevine tissue, it triggers a series of physiological responses in the plant. The grapevine responds to the pathogen by producing a range of defense compounds, such as phytoalexins and pathogenesis-related proteins. These defense compounds are part of the grapevine's immune system and are produced in an attempt to limit the spread of the pathogen.

The final stage of the infection is the formation of the powdery mildew symptoms on the grapevine. As the U. necator pathogen continues to colonize the grapevine tissue, it produces specialized structures known as conidia. These conidia are responsible for producing the spores that will spread the disease to other grapevines. The conidia are often visible on the surface of the grapevine leaves as a white or grayish powdery coating.

The development of the infection of U. necator is influenced by a range of environmental factors, such as temperature, humidity, and light. The optimal temperature range for U. necator growth is between 20 and 25°C, with lower temperatures slowing down the growth rate of the pathogen. Humidity also plays an important role in the development of the infection, with high humidity levels favoring the growth of U. necator. However, excessive moisture can also lead to the development of other fungal diseases, such as Botrytis cinerea, which can further impact grapevine health and yield.

The genetic variability of U. necator has been well documented, with multiple different strains of the pathogen identified around the world. This genetic diversity can impact the virulence and pathogenicity of the pathogen, as well as the efficacy of different control strategies. Additionally, U. necator has been shown to develop resistance to certain fungicides, making it important to carefully manage the use of chemical control methods to prevent the development of resistance.

Effective management of powdery mildew in grapevines involves a combination of cultural, biological, and chemical control methods. Cultural control methods include practices such as pruning, leaf removal, and canopy management, which can help to reduce humidity levels and increase air flow around the grapevine.

We wish you successful and happy farming!