Grapevine viruses: Molecular biology, diagnostics and management

This book builds upon this last handbook (the last handbook was authored by Dr. Martelli who is also an editor for this current book, was published over twenty years.) on the part of diagnostics and extensively expands its scope by inclusion of molecular biology aspects of select viruses that are widespread and economically most important. These include most current information on the biology, transmission, genome replication, transcription, subcellular localization, as well as virus-host interactions. It will also touch on several novel areas of scientific inquiry, which includes origin and evolution of grapevine viruses, the potential of developing some of the grape viruses into vectors for biotechnological applications and functional genomics. In the end, we will suggest directions for future research in the field of grapevine virology. The book will contain the following parts: Cultivation of grapes dates back over 6000 years ago in the near East, followed by introduction into Europe and other regions, including North Africa, South and North America, Oceania and Asia. Grape and wine industries constitute a major corner stone for the economy of many countries. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, in 2007 alone, grape plantation reached 7.3 million hectares with a production of over 67 million metric tons. In 2010, world grape production was 68 million metric tons. This large increase in plantation and production is due to the increasing demand for not only table grapes but more importantly for wine grapes. The domestication of grapes dates back five thousand years ago and has spread to nearly all continents. In recent years, grape acreage has increased dramatically in new regions, including the United States of America, Chile, Asia (China and India), and Turkey. 

A major limiting factor to the sustained production of premium grapes and wines is infections by viruses. The advent of powerful molecular and metagenomics technologies, such as molecular cloning and next generation sequencing, allowed the discovery of new viruses from grapes. To date, grapevine is susceptible to 64 viruses that belong to highly diverse taxonomic groups. The most damaging diseases include: (1) infectious degeneration; (2) leafroll disease complex; and (3) rugose wood complex. Recently, two new disease syndromes have been recognized: Syrah decline and red blotch. Losses due to fanleaf degeneration are estimated at $1 billion annually in France alone. Other diseases including leafroll, rugose wood, Syrah decline and red blotch can result in total crop loss several years post-infection. This situation is further exacerbated by mixed infections with multiple viruses and other biotic as well as adverse abiotic environmental conditions, such as drought and winter damage, causing even greater destruction.

As viruses are responsible for great economic losses to the grape and wine industries worldwide, research

• ISBN: 978-3-319-57704-3
• Editorial: Springer
• Encuadernacion: Cartoné
• Fecha Publicación: 08/07/2017
• Nº Volúmenes: 1
• Idioma: Inglés