Association of Botryosphaeriaceae grapevine trunk disease fungi with the reproductive structures of Vitis vinifera

Several species belonging to the Botryosphaeriaceaewere isolated from grapevine (Vitis vinifera) tissue otherthan wood during a survey of two vineyards planted tocultivars 'Chardonnay' and 'Shiraz' in the Hunter Valley,New South Wales, Australia over the 2007/08 and2008/09 growing seasons. A total of 188 isolates correspondingto nine different species of Diplodia, Dothiorella and Neofusicoccum anamorphs were isolated from dormant buds, flowers, pea-sized berries and matureberries prior to harvest in addition to 142 isolates fromthe trunks of the same vines. Furthermore, the occurrenceof Dothiorella viticola, Diplodia mutila and Neofusicoccumaustrale is reported here for the first time fromgrapevines in the Hunter Valley. These findings mayprovide important information for the managementand spread of Botryosphaeriaceae in vineyards wherethey are considered serious wood-invading pathogens. Botryosphaeriaceae are occasionally found on bunches, however, until now they have not directly been related to bunch rots. Control strategies for trunk diseases caused by Botryosphaeriaceae are currently limited to remedial surgery and wound protection. These strategies do not consider other grapevine tissue as potentialinoculum sources for infection of Botryosphaeriaceaein the vineyard.