Elsinoë ampelina

Elsinoë ampelina is a species of fungus that causes the disease anthracnose in grapes. It is a significant pathogen in many grape-growing regions around the world, causing considerable damage to crops and affecting the quality of the wine produced.

Taxonomy

The fungus was first described in 1917 by the American mycologist Frederick A. Wolf. The genus Elsinoë is named after the Greek nymph Elsinoë, and the species name ampelina is derived from ampelos, the Greek word for vine.

Description

Elsinoë ampelina is a ascomycete fungus. It produces small, black, spherical fruiting bodies known as ascocarps, which contain sac-like structures called asci. Each ascus contains eight ascospores, which are the primary means of dispersal for the fungus.

Disease cycle

The disease cycle of Elsinoë ampelina begins when ascospores are released from mature ascocarps and carried by wind or rain to susceptible grapevines. The spores germinate and penetrate the plant tissue, causing the characteristic symptoms of anthracnose. The fungus overwinters in infected plant debris, and the cycle begins again the following spring.

Symptoms and impact

The main symptoms of anthracnose caused by Elsinoë ampelina are sunken, dark lesions on the leaves, stems, and fruit of infected grapevines. The disease can cause significant yield losses, and the quality of the wine produced from infected grapes can be severely affected.

Management

Management of anthracnose caused by Elsinoë ampelina involves a combination of cultural practices and chemical control. Cultural practices include pruning and removal of infected plant debris to reduce the amount of inoculum available for infection. Chemical control typically involves the use of fungicides.

See also

• List of grape diseases
• Viticulture
• Plant pathology