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Squeeze on grape fungus
11 Aug 2003
Vines from the Margaret River region will be among the first to be tested for resistance to a fungal spore that is threatening Australia's $4.4 billion grape industry. Sixty bare cuttings, covering most grape varieties, have been sent to Darwin as part of the $1 million National Grapevine Leaf Rust Eradication Program.
The cuttings will be inoculated with the leaf rust, which has already been found on 250 vines in Darwin backyards. About 30,000 Darwin yards have been searched for infected vines, with around 5,000 still to be inspected. The search was sparked by the chance discovery of an infected vine in 1991.
Further inoculations will be conducted on a variety of vine types from other grape-growing regions, and table grape varieties will also be inoculated. Fungicides aimed at controlling the pest are also being tested.
The Australian, 11/8/03, page 6.
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