Flavescence dorée

Symptoms

Yellowing or reddening of leaves rolling downwards in a triangle, drooping shoots that fail to lignify, shrivelled bunches that fall before harvest, abnormally elastic shoots in autumn (canes whip-like).

Plants affected

• grape vine

Easily confused with

• Pierce's disease

  How to tell them apart: On grapevine both cause leaf reddening/yellowing with dieback and BOTH are notifiable - distinguishing guides which official protocol, but either way contact the plant-health authority. Flavescence doree phytoplasma (Candidatus Phytoplasma vitis): downward leaf rolling, triangular sectorial red (red cultivars) or yellow (white cultivars) discoloration, non-lignified rubbery canes and flower/bunch abortion, leafhopper-vectored. Pierce's disease (Xylella fastidiosa subsp. fastidiosa): marginal leaf scorch with concentric green-to-brown zones, irregular green islands on canes that mature unevenly, sharpshooter-vectored.

• Esca disease complex

  How to tell them apart: On grapevine, do NOT over-report the fungal trunk disease as a quarantine organism. Esca (Phaeomoniella chlamydospora): tiger-stripe interveinal yellow-then-brown necrosis between the veins, dark wood streaking/rot visible in a trunk cross-section, a chronic wood fungus - NOT notifiable. Flavescence doree phytoplasma (Candidatus Phytoplasma vitis, NOTIFIABLE): uniform sectorial reddening/yellowing with downward leaf rolling and rubbery non-lignified shoots, no internal wood rot - if rubbery shoots and sectorial colour, report it.

Common questions

How do I recognise Flavescence dorée on grape vine?

Yellowing or reddening of leaves rolling downwards in a triangle, drooping shoots that fail to lignify, shrivelled bunches that fall before harvest, abnormally elastic shoots in autumn (canes whip-like).

Do I have to report Flavescence dorée?

Yes. Flavescence dorée is a regulated quarantine organism in the EU. A suspected finding must be reported to your national plant protection organisation — they will confirm it and tell you what to do next.

How is Flavescence dorée treated?

Mainly with biological and cultural measures — removing affected material, changing the conditions that favour it, and treating with agents approved in your country. The exact steps and their timing depend on the plant, the season and where you live: Dr. Phyto works them out in a free diagnosis.