Project Number
P04000172

Project title
MSc studentship to screen locally bred grape rootstocks for resistances to nematodes affecting vineyards in South Africa

Project leader
Booi, S

Team members
Malan, A P
Booyse, M
Stokwe, N
Storey, S G
Burger, P
Allsopp, E
van Schalkwyk, D

Project description
Among the most important plant-parasitic nematode species found in South African vineyards are Criconemoides xenoplax (ring nematodes), Meloidogyne spp. (root-knot nematodes), Longidorus spp. (needle nematode), Paratrichodorus spp. (stubby-root nematodes), Pratylenchus spp. (root-lesion nematodes), Tylenchulus semipenetrans (citrus nematode) and Xiphinema spp. (dagger nematodes) and spiral nematodes from different genera (Addison and Fourie, 2007). Of these, C. xenoplax and Meloidogyne spp. are known to be the most damaging to vines. These groups of nematodes are becoming a serious problem on vines and stone-fruit, especially in the Lower Orange River area, and in areas along the Breede and Berg Rivers (Sheila Storey, personal communication). Most commercial grape rootstocks are susceptible to most nematode species found in South Africa. The phasing out of highly toxic nematicides renders urgent environmentally friendly and pesticide-free control methods. There is, therefore, a drive towards breeding for resistance.

Project aim: To screen approximately 20 locally available grapevine rootstocks (imported and locally bred) for resistance to nematode pests found in South Africa vineyards, especially Criconemoides xenoplax (ring nematodes), Xiphinema spp. (dagger nematodes), Pratylenchus vulnus (root lesion nematodes), Meloidogyne spp. (root-knot nematodes) (M. incognita Race 3) under controlled glasshouse conditions To screen both locally available and locally bred grapevine rootstocks developed at SU for drought tolerance under controlled glasshouse conditions. The intention is that much of the work can be undertaken by an MSc student.

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