European grapevine yellowing disease spread

Grapevine yellowing, a phytoplasma disease transmitted by the American grapevine leafhopper, is spreading through various European wine-growing regions.

In Lower Austria, the first case was detected in the Bruck an der Leitha district. Johannes Schmuckenschlager, President of the Lower Austria Chamber of Agriculture, characterized the detection as a “serious signal” for the industry. Because the disease is untreatable, authorities have mandated the uprooting of symptomatic vines to mitigate spread, noting that the condition has already caused “massive damage” in Burgenland, Styria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.

In Croatia, the infection has been confirmed in 14 counties, with some vineyards losing over half of their plantings. Agricultural experts emphasize that abandoned vineyards act as major infection sources and urge growers to monitor for symptoms like stunted shoots and brittle, curled leaves. The necessity of uprooting infected plants presents long-term economic challenges, as replanted vines require several years to reach full production.