Grape phylloxera: causes and control measures using folk and chemical preparations

Grape

Phylloxera on grapes is one of the most common diseases, capable of causing enormous damage to a vineyard. It is caused by an insect called an aphid. The pest attacks almost every part of the plant—leaves, roots, cuttings, and tendrils. However, properly chosen control measures can cure the bush of this quarantine pest. diseases and avoid economic damage.

Appearance of the leaf form of the disease

Leaf phylloxera is characterized by damage to the green parts of the plant. It is caused by the winged form of the insect. Leaf aphids are tiny, oval-shaped insects up to 1 mm long and yellow-green in color. Individual insects are difficult to spot with the naked eye. However, on the leaf, the pest gathers in groups, forming spherical formations that are easily detected. If aphid populations are large and there are not enough leaves to feed on, the aphids also attack the vine tendrils.

Distinctive features of the root form

The grapevine phylloxera rootworm prefers roots located near the soil surface, even attacking roots located at depths of up to 1 meter. Larvae of this type are hardy, resistant to cold, and overwinter within the root system. When temperatures rise above freezing, they emerge to the soil surface and become females, capable of reproduction.

The wingless phylloxera root aphid, measuring 1 mm in length, can lay approximately 150-180 eggs, which hatch into larvae within 10 days. Up to six generations of the insects can occur in a single summer. Reproduction continues until late autumn. Forming distinctive yellow warts on the roots, the larvae and adults destroy the root system, suck out nutrients, and turn the roots into a sponge. The grapevine suffers from nutrient deficiency, stops bearing fruit, and dies.

Important!

Root phylloxera is more dangerous than leaf phylloxera. Plants infected with the root type are uprooted, and the vineyard in the affected area is declared a quarantine zone. Tree planting is prohibited for 15 years, as the parasite can persist in the soil for a long time.

Where and when did the disease appear?

Phylloxera is considered native to southeastern America. The pest was often found on wild grapevines growing in the Mississippi River region. The first description of a mass infestation of grapevines in Europe dates back to 1868, where the disease was imported along with the plants. In 1880, the first infestation of vineyards was detected on the Crimean Peninsula. It is believed that the pest was brought to Crimea along with grape seedlings from France, where this small pest destroyed up to 90% of the vineyards. According to literary estimates, phylloxera destroyed up to 6 million hectares of vineyards in Europe in the 19th century.

Life cycle of root phylloxera

Root phylloxera exists in three forms: underground, aboveground, and winged. The wingless forms, green-yellow in color and small in size, up to 1 mm, colonize the roots of old grape vines and overwinter there. In September, nymphs—slender, orange-colored individuals with rudimentary wings—can be found among the root aphids. These aphids actively develop in moist, warm soil. The pest emerges to the surface, and after the fourth molt, it acquires a winged form with elongated tentacles and well-developed eyes.

Thanks to its wings, the insect is capable of short-term flights and laying eggs on grape buds, the underside of leaves, and porous bark. The tiny larvae develop into males. They live for 10 days. Lacking a proboscis, they cannot feed. After a single sexual encounter, the female crawls through cracks in the old bark and lays a fertilized egg.

Life cycle of leaf phylloxera

In spring, wingless female aphids hatch from winter eggs. They colonize 1-6 grapevine leaves. As generations change, up to 6 under favorable weather conditions, the aphids climb higher and higher along the green parts of the plant. Where they pierced the grapevine leaf with their proboscis, a green, concave gall forms. The grapevine leaf is deprived of nutrients and dries out. When food supply runs low, the insects migrate to a neighboring vine.

Spread of phylloxera

The spread of grape phylloxera is facilitated by the aphid's active mobility. The winged form of the insect can travel up to 100 meters per day. Passive spread is facilitated by rain, mudflows, and meltwater.

Another way the disease can spread passively is through poor sanitation. Sometimes, winegrowers use dirty, untreated tools. Visiting an infested vineyard can result in phylloxera larvae being carried on clothing and shoes. Furthermore, purchasing seedlings from unverified nurseries infested with pests can spread the disease to the entire vineyard.

Important!

Loose soil is the parasite's favorite habitat. The pest is rarely found in loamy and clayey soils, which have poor drainage. Sandy soil is also not a favorite habitat for phylloxera.

Why is phylloxera dangerous?

Both types of pests have a complex life cycle and similar feeding patterns. By damaging plant roots with their proboscis, the insect sucks out nutrients, poisoning the plant with its waste products. The roots become rotten and porous. The leaf form, using a similar feeding pattern, causes damage to the leaves, causing warts and tumors. The grapevine stops growing and developing, and eventually dies. The shoots of a weakened grapevine fail to mature and often cannot withstand frost.

Treatment of phylloxera

Unfortunately, there is no guaranteed cure for grape phylloxera. If the root form of the parasite is detected, the entire vineyard is destroyed, and planting grapes in that area is prohibited for 15 years. If the leaf form of the parasite is detected, chemical treatments are used.

Folk methods of combating phylloxera

If a pest is detected, it must be eliminated quickly. However, not all gardeners know how to combat it without using chemicals. Folk remedies can help:

A small phylloxera infestation is washed away with a high-pressure jet of water, after which the insects become prey to birds. This process is repeated several times.
Spraying the vineyard ash solution - 1 glass of ash is diluted in 5 liters of water and left for 12 hours.
A good solution is tar soap – 100 g per 10 liters of water.
It is recommended to plant parsley between grape bushes – the aromatic plant repels leaf aphids, which have an excellent sense of smell.
Spray plants with an infusion of tobacco leaves – 1 cup of leaves per 5 liters of water. Let the solution steep for 12 hours, then strain.

Chemical treatment

Proper and timely control of phylloxera is the key to a bountiful harvest. One method of control is the use of chemicals. Insecticide treatment Fungicides are required three times during the growing season: before foliage appears, before flowering, and after fruit set. It is recommended to use products that are not washed away by precipitation and are safe for honeybees and humans. Such products include:

"Fozalon" - kills aphids at all stages of development, is active even at low temperatures; "Karbofos";
"Actellic" - prevents the reappearance of insects;
"Fastak" - fights insects at all stages of development, compatible with other fungicidal and insecticidal preparations;
"Kinmiks";
"Condifor" is dangerous for sucking insects at all stages of development.

Important!

Before using any chemical plant protection product, you should read the instructions and follow the recommendations.

In case of widespread aphid infestation, treatment Carbon disulfide, which penetrates deep into the soil, can be used. It should be noted that this compound is volatile and flammable and should be used with caution.

Prevention

"Prevention is better than cure"—Hippocrates's statement should be considered fundamental in preventing phylloxera infection. The following steps are recommended for disease prevention:

seedlings for planting buy from trusted sellers, trying to avoid regions affected by phylloxera;
Before planting, the roots are disinfected with a 24% emulsion of the gamma isomer of hexachlorocyclohexane;
the top layer of soil is replaced with sand;
plant varieties resistant to phylloxera;
trim damaged superficial roots in a timely manner;
plant cuttings deep;
In difficult soil, when planting, sprinkle the root with a layer of sand;
uproot old grape bushes.

Important!

For work, use equipment that has undergone mechanical cleaning and disinfection.

Choosing the best variety for your plot

Experts recommend choosing European grape varieties, as they are virtually immune to the damaging effects of phylloxera rootstock. It's best to plant grape seedlings in sandy soils. The following varieties are most resistant to this parasite:

new varieties or hybrids of Save-Villar;
Kober 5bb (Austria), rootstock vines of Riparia Gloire, (France) Riparia x Rupestris 101-14.

The root system of the listed names is poorly susceptible to rotting.

Grape phylloxera is a dangerous pest that is very difficult to eradicate, even for experienced gardeners. Therefore, before planting grapes, it's important to ensure that the vines come from a healthy vine, are sourced from a reputable supplier, and that the chosen variety is resistant to the parasite. Following simple disease prevention guidelines will help keep your vineyards healthy and yield an impressive harvest.