Molecular identification and detection of Eutypa lata in grapevine.

Eutypa lata, the causal agent of Eutypa dieback of grapevines, is difficult to identify on the basis of colony morphology and is often out-competed by other fungi when isolated from wood. To facilitate diagnosis of the pathogen, we designed SCAR primers capable of amplifying DNA of E. lata and constructed a genomic DNA library from which DNA sequences specific to E. lata were identified and sequenced. SCAR primers were used to identify E. lata directly from culture without the requirement for DNA extraction or prolonged incubation periods and could also detect the pathogen in DNA isolated from grapevine wood. RFLP probes were used in slot-blot assays to detect the pathogen in DNA isolated from 1 yr old cane as well as from mature grapevine trunks. The markers developed in this study have the potential to be used as a research tool to gather information on the epidemiology of the disease and to assess the efficacy of potential control agents against E. lata.

Phenolic and heterocyclic metabolite profiles of the grapevine pathogen Eutypa lata.

The ascomycete Eutypa lata is the causative agent of eutypa dieback in grapevines, a serious economic problem in major wine grape producing areas. In order to develop a predictive, non-destructive assay for early detection of fungal infection, the phenolic metabolite profiles of 11 strains of E. lata grown on four different artificial growth media were analyzed by HPLC and their variability compared with growth on Cabernet Sauvignon grapevine wood and wood extracts. Six compounds were generally produced in significant amounts, namely eutypinol, eulatachromene, and eutypine and its benzofuran cyclization product, together with siccayne and eulatinol. The two most widely distributed and abundant metabolites were eutypinol and eulatachromene, which were present in 8 of the strains grown on grapewood aqueous extract fortified with sucrose. Metabolite production on grapevine extract was greatly enhanced relative to the artificial media, indicating that this native substrate provides optimal conditions and a more representative profile of the metabolites produced in the natural disease state. The primary metabolites were tested in a grapeleaf disc bioassay to establish their relative toxicity. Neither eutypinol nor siccayne were phytotoxic; eulatachromene, eulatinol, eutypine, and the benzofuran exhibited necrotic effects in the bioassay. The results indicate that eutypa dieback may be caused by several E. lata metabolites rather than a single compound.