grape leaf roll virus in houghton county - Ask Extension
We think we have grape leaf roll virus in the few grape vines we have in Houghton County. What should we do about it?
Knowledgebase
grape leaf roll virus in houghton county #878833
Asked July 26, 2024, 7:02 AM EDT
We think we have grape leaf roll virus in the few grape vines we have in Houghton County. What should we do about it?
Houghton County Michigan
Expert Response
So far it doesn't look severe. And depending on how many vines you have versus how many are infected, it may or may not be very widespread yet. So, if it is leafroll virus, you have two options.
Option 1 is to isolate the vines when pruning or harvesting. By that, I mean any time you use a tool to cut anything on the infected vine, sterilize it before you go to an uninfected vine. You can disinfect the tool by dipping into a chlorine solution like Clorox bleach or spraying with a household cleaner like Lysol or equivalent. The chlorine solution method is more common and more reliable, but a good, thorough spray may be easier if you only have a couple vines.
Option 2 is to remove the vines and get rid of the potential infection spread.
Virus infected vines can continue producing grapes, but will be more variable from year to year as the vine continues to decline. If you can prevent further spread by unclean pruning equipment, eventual removal can be determined by overall productivity of the vine.
If, however, you are still trying to decide if it is, indeed, leafroll virus, I highly recommend you reach out to the MSU Plant and Pest Diagnostic lab. They can test for grape viruses to verify if that is what you are seeing. Here is information about how to submit a sample to them for testing: https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/submit-samples/grapevine-viruses
Option 1 is to isolate the vines when pruning or harvesting. By that, I mean any time you use a tool to cut anything on the infected vine, sterilize it before you go to an uninfected vine. You can disinfect the tool by dipping into a chlorine solution like Clorox bleach or spraying with a household cleaner like Lysol or equivalent. The chlorine solution method is more common and more reliable, but a good, thorough spray may be easier if you only have a couple vines.
Option 2 is to remove the vines and get rid of the potential infection spread.
Virus infected vines can continue producing grapes, but will be more variable from year to year as the vine continues to decline. If you can prevent further spread by unclean pruning equipment, eventual removal can be determined by overall productivity of the vine.
If, however, you are still trying to decide if it is, indeed, leafroll virus, I highly recommend you reach out to the MSU Plant and Pest Diagnostic lab. They can test for grape viruses to verify if that is what you are seeing. Here is information about how to submit a sample to them for testing: https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/submit-samples/grapevine-viruses
