October 2018      
PD/GWSS Board and Advisory Task Force Meeting
The October joint meeting of the PD/GWSS Board and the PD Advisory Task Force has been postponed.

Please watch for a future announcement as to date and place. 
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Update
Traditional Breeding of  
PD-Resistant Winegrapes
 
Twenty PD-resistant winegrape selections are being advanced to Foundation Plant Services (FPS) for certification.  Of these, five are in pre-release to nurseries. While intended as blending grapes, wines from these PD-resistant vines have shown great flavor profiles on their own.
 
Dr. Andy Walker examines a cluster of grape from a winegrape vine that has been bred to be resistant to Pierce's disease.
Dr. Andy Walker examines a cluster of grapes from a grapevine bred to be resistant to Pierce's disease.
 
"These vines have been tested repeatedly for resistance to PD, and have been evaluated for their wine quality by professionals and other researchers as well, and they will soon be ready for commercial release," said Dr. Andy Walker, the UC Davis researcher in charge of the breeding effort.
 
In addition to the 20 winegrape scions, three PD-resistant rootstocks have also been advanced to FPS for certification.  
 
Dr. Walker said he expects the first commercial sales of some of the selections to begin in 2020, with more being available in the following years .  
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The vine mealybug is a serious threat to grapevines.
During harvest, vineyard owners and managers should monitor for vine mealybugs on fruit and foliage, and show harvest crews how to recognize infestations.   
 
If the vine mealybug is present, steam-sanitize equipment before moving it to uninfested areas.
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Other Resources

Pierces's Disease Research Papers Online

Dig into the latest research by scientist
from around the world at Piercesdisease.org
 
       
 
For more information on the CDFA PD/GWSS Board or to participate in the online forum, visit www.pdgwss.net or contact Craig Hanes
via e-mail at [email protected] or phone 916-900-5024.
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