Phytoplasma and Virus Management in Grapevine Collections for Germplasm Conservation, Mobilization and Evaluation

Grapevine germplasm collections should be considered with a particular respect by the phytosanitary services. They represent a precious source of genetic resources. Not rarely a cultivar is maintained just in one collection. We have not data for what concerns the sanitary status of the grapevines germplasm collections, but following a general impression, viruses, phytoplasmas and some other bacteria represent a real risk for their exploitation and to a certain extent to their survival. So a sustainable strategy for germplasm conservation and evaluation should include diagnostic protocols and disease control. Moreover the germplasm mobilization would represent a real opportunity to reduce the risk of loosing biodiversity. In this context specific protocols for germplasm circulation among collections, including specific quarantine procedure management, and more in general for the for phytosanitary management of the grapevine repositories should be developed to favor the healthy germplasm conservation.