FIRST REPORT OF GRAPEVINE PINOT GRIS VIRUS INFECTING CULTIVAR GLERA IN THE CONEGLIANO VALDOBBIADENE D.O.C.G. AREA

Grapevine pinot gris virus (GPGV) has been recently associated to a new grapevine disease in the Trentino region. Phylogenetic trees constructed with RNA dependent RNA polymerase and coat protein grouped this virus with a closely related thricovirus, Grapevine berry inner necrosis virus, isolated only in Japan. RT-PCR analysis carried out to check the presence of GPGV in symptomatic analysed vines from cv Glera in Valdobbiadene locations showed positive reaction with specific GPGV primers. The sequencing of PCR products showed identity with the nucleotide sequence of GPGV (Acc. num. NC_015782). Chlorotic mottling, mosaic patterns, puckering, shoots malformation and abnormal branching were the main symptoms observed in Prosecco grapevine. Symptoms recovery of the new shoots in infected vines has been observed in the warmer months from July. The diseased grapevines reduce yield and produce a low quality of berries, so that the infected plants must be removed causing an important economic loss in one of the most important grape-growing areas. Our analysis shows for the first time the presence of this new grapevine disease in the cv Glera on the Conegliano Valdobbiadene D.O.C.G. area, suggesting a wide distribution of this new viral disease. A further investigation on GPGV spreading and epidemiology on cv Glera is in progress.