Abstract

Hot water treatment (HWT) at 50°C for 30 min reduced the survival of Phomopsis viticola in infected grapevine cuttings from 75.6% to 0.7%. Submerging cuttings in chlorinated water did not affect survival of the pathogen. Survival of P. viticola in cuttings of Sultana and Waltham Cross (cultivars of Vitis vinifera) after hot water treatment varied, indicating that the effects of HWT may be cultivar dependent. The incidence of P. viticola in untreated cuttings of different cultivars and from different sources was also variable. The results indicated that HWT of cuttings can be used to substantially reduce, but not eliminate, infections of P. viticola in grapevine planting material.