Abstract

Germination of β conidia of Phomopsis viticola was recorded in potato-dextrose liquid medium but not in sterile distilled water. Maximum germination of β conidia in vitro occurred within 144 h reaching a plateau around 60–80 h at 26°C, whereas α conidia germinated within 28 h at 30°C. Preliminary bioassays indicated that the β conidia are potentially capable of symptomless infection of grapevine leaves. However, further studies are required to confirm this.