Alarm level red for viticulture: Rebzikade threatens grapes across Austria!

Alarm level red for viticulture: Rebzikade threatens grapes across Austria!

The situation in domestic viticulture is becoming increasingly serious because the American vineyard (Scaphoidus Titanus) spreads further. This type of insect, which has been at home in Austria for more than two decades, contributes to the spread of golden yellow yellowing, a plant disease that permanently damages vines. Daniel Pachinger from the Chamber of Agriculture urgently warns of the dangerous effects: "Once infected vines are almost lost". Municipalities such as Eltendorf, Heiligenkreuz and Gaas are particularly affected, where the latest reports have occurred. A pest even established itself on the Hochkogel near Eltendorf. The official crop protection service carries out consistent controls that include the turning of 400 leaves per area. In the event of a proven infestation, the affected vine is cleared and a 500-meter security zone is set up.

economic effects

Although the economic damage in Southern Burgenland has so far been limited, entire vineyards had to be cleared in Southeast Styria. Josef Pfeiffer, a winemaker from Eltendorf, emphasizes that the disease is incurable and also mentions structural causes for its distribution. Rising temperatures and unexpected vineyards create ideal conditions for the vineyards, while overgrown systems make the targeted struggle against the spread.

The golden yellow yellow -yellow yellowing disease (Grapevine Flavescence Dorée, GfD) is classified as a quarantine disease and is subject to strict regulations for combating, as described in the implementation regulation (EU) 2019/2072 specified by Agrar.Stiermark.at. Among other things, this regulation provides monitoring, sampling and clearing arrangements in the event of a positive finding. There are currently three infestation and security zones in Styria: Leibnitz, Southeast Styria and Bad Waltersdorf.

challenges in viticulture

Viticulture is not only faced by pests like the American vineyard cicade, but also by other diseases that are often caused by fungi. The most important vine diseases include real mildew, false mildew, gray column and numerous other. Meteteorological risks, such as frost, high rainfall and hail, as well as the effects of climate change, the cultivation also difficult. All of these factors contribute to the fact that winegrowers are exposed to a variety of threats that can endanger the biological balance.

winemakers must therefore find a balance when combating pests. A combination of biological and conventional practices is recommended to get healthy vineyards. Many winegrowers strive for a variety of greening to promote the soil quality and create optimal conditions for grape development, while the use of synthetic means is reduced.

Current information about the American vineyard and the golden yellow yellowing are available in the Haidegger perspectives and publications of the test station for fruit and viticulture Haidegg.

For more details on these challenges in viticulture, please visit Exxpress.at , Agrar.steiermark.at and Silkes-weinkeller.de .