Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/561374
w w w. v w m m e d i a . c o m S e p t - O c t 2 015 | V I N E YA R D & W I N E RY M A N A G E M E N T 7 1 blocks from commercial fruit-bear- ing (non-registered) vineyards, and disease diagnostic tests. With fund- ing from the National Clean Plant Network (NCPN), a new block was planted at the UC Davis Foundation Plant Services (Russell Ranch Foun- dation Block) with vines propagated using the "shoot tip" tissue culture technique (a method that eliminates viruses and bacteria). Protocol 2010 includes a testing program: All vines are to be field- and laboratory-tested to assure that a comprehensive list of diseases and pathogens are absent in the vines released. In other words, the traditional field index technique, a method that involves grafting the prospective foundation vine onto indicator hosts that may detect specific diseases such as leafroll or fanleaf, is complemented with labo- ratory testing to detect pathogens using specific methodologies. The R&C program is voluntary and open to registered participants revisions of the current R&C pro- gram. The CDFA hosted several public meetings in 2014 and 2015 to collect feedback from growers and industry representatives con- cerned about issues regarding the 2010 regulations. Specifically, the vineyard industry is concerned with the traceability of stock, location of increase and certified blocks, eligi- bility requirements, standards for suspending or canceling certifica- tion, and the detection of GRBaV in certified planting material, among other issues. As a result, a committee will be assigned by the California Secretary of Agriculture to work on solving these issues and developing regu- lations that are acceptable to the California grape industry. TESTING CERTIFIED MOTHER BLOCKS Members of the NCPN are peti- t i o n i n g t h a t r e g u l a t o r s m a k i n g who follow the required rules. Nurs- eries enrolled in the program fur- ther propagate the planting stock to create increase blocks that will become certified grafted or root- stock rooting plants that are distrib- uted to growers. With the exception of the bacteria Xylella fastidiosa and Agrobacterium vitis, the R&C pro- gram limits testing efforts to virus- es. To assure the health status of the vines, foundation and nursery increase blocks, as well as certified grafted plants, need to be inspected and tested routinely. REVISIONS NEEDED Certification programs must be dynamic and adapt quickly to the discovery of new pathogens and improvement of diagnostic meth- ods. As an example, the recent report of Grapevine red blotch- associated virus (GRBaV) in Cali- fornia certified planting material has opened discussion on needed Thanks to everyone !!!!