Influence of Soil Factors on Esca Infection in a Vineyard Soil on Pliocene Deposits

Abstract

In a vineyard soil on Pliocene deposits, bulk and rhizosphere samples of profiles under apparently healthy vines and under those with symptoms of esca were studied for pedological, chemical, and biochemical properties. This study has highlighted soil properties that are negative for plants and rhizosphere microorganisms. Among those, some depend on pedoclimatic conditions (soil erosion, summer cracks, poorly draining conditions), whereas others depend on soil and vine management [scarcity of nutrients and organic matter and an excessive presence of copper (Cu) due to the use of pesticides]. We hypothesize that esca attacks plants in certain areas of a vineyard because the different soil conditions in these areas are negative for one or more of the highlighted properties. Thus, the combination of a depressed soil microbial community and weak plants can result in the loss of the pathogen resistance.

Keywords:

• Esca disease
• rhizosphere
• root hypoxia
• soil
• vines

Acknowledgments

We thank M. Panichi for field assistance. The research was partly supported by a PRIN (Programmi di Ricerea Scientifica di Rilevante Interesse Nazionale) project (no. MM07311738) of the Ministero Italiano dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca.