In the begining of 1998, bacterial canker of grapevine, caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. viticola, was detected for the first time in Brazil in vineyards of the “Submédio São Francisco”. Losses in susceptible cultivars such as Red Globe, Italy, Festival, Brazil, Piratininga, Patricia, Benitaka and Catalunha were observed. In infected plants, the symptoms in leaves appear as necrotics points (1-2mm of diameter) with or without yellow halos which, sometimes coalesced and causing the death of extensive leaf areas. On the leaf veins and petioles, stems and rachis of the grape clusters long dark spots are formed which progress to longitudinal fissures - the cankers. Vascular discoloration is also observed. The berries are irregular in size and color and may present necrotic lesions. The dissemination of the pathogen occurs through infected propagative material, harvesting material (containers, pruning shears and gloves), cultural practices (removal of buds, pruning, removal of berries in clusters, harvest), wind and rain. Despite the short rain season in this region, the dissemination of the bacterium is more efficient during this period. High humidity and temperature permit the survival of the pathogen in crop residues. Disease control can be achieved by using healthy propagative material, field inspection, drastic pruning on infected plants, roguing, management of the time of production pruning, disinfection of vehicles, equipments and pruning materials, use of copper and thiocarbamats as protecting fungicides and windbreaks to reduce the pathogen dissemination.
bacterial canker; Vitis vinifera; Xanthomonas campestris pv; viticola