Susceptibility of different grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) cultivars to Diplodia seriata and Diplodia mutila

Abstract

Canes obtained from one-year-old stems of the grapevine cultivars Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah (all non-grafted) were used as models to test their susceptibility to Diplodia seriata and Diplodia mutila . The results showed that the mean length of lesions caused by D. mutila was 3.2 times larger than that produced by D. seriata . In addition, the Cabernet Franc and Syrah cultivars were the most susceptible to D. mutila , while Merlot and Malbec were the least susceptible. No significant differences were observed between cultivars inoculated with D. seriata . The results are discussed in terms of the susceptibility of the different grapevine cultivars to both pathogens.