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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Parlier, California » San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center » Crop Diseases, Pests and Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #291450
Title: Effects of rootstock on Xylella fastidiosa infection and grapevine sap phenolics

Author
item Wallingford, Anna
item Wallis, Christopher
item Chen, Jianchi

Submitted to: American Phytopathological Society Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/13/2013
Publication Date: 6/1/2013
Citation: Wallingford, A.K., Wallis, C.M., Chen, J. 2013. Effects of rootstock on Xylella fastidiosa infection and grapevine sap phenolics. American Phytopathological Society Abstracts. 103(S2):154-155.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Pierce’s disease, caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, poses a threat to grape production in the United States and warm climates elsewhere. There are numerous grapevine rootstocks available that may impart increased vigor or tolerance to soil-borne pests. However, little is known about the potential of rootstocks to provide increased resistance to pathogens that infect scions. In this study, host biochemical responses to X. fastidiosa infection were compared between potted Chardonnay vines grown on 101-14 MG, 110R, RS3, and Salt Creek, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon vines grown on 101-MG and 110R. Plants were sampled three- and six-months after X. fastidiosa inoculation, with bacterial titers determined by qPCR and phenolics quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. Pierce's disease symptoms were rated at six months. We observed differences due to rootstocks in bacterial titers and symptom development, as well as associated changes in many phenolic compounds. To examine the effects of rootstocks on the production of constitutive and induced phenolic compounds, root vigor also was calculated by weighing root balls at the end of the experiment. Root vigor was then correlated with phenolic production in both non-infected and X. fastidiosa-infected plants. These results improve understanding of the role that different rootstocks play in imparting resistance to xylem-limited bacterial pathogens.