This UC Davis Extension course is taught by guest instructors who are chosen for their involvement in developing solutions to the problems of grape pests and diseases. The goal of these lectures is to provide up-to-date management information on current selected topics. On this year’s program:

• Breeding grapevines for Pierce's Disease resistance; Andy Walker, Ph.D., Department of Viticulture and Enology, UC Davis
• Controlling grape fungal disease such as powdery mildew and Botrytis bunch rot diseases; Steve Vasquez, Viticulture Advisor, University of California Cooperative Extension, Fresno County
• Grape growers' role in managing exotic pests and diseases; Richard Hoenisch, Western Plant Diagnostic Network, Department of Plant Pathology, UC Davis

The course features lectures devoted to mealybugs and grapevine leafroll viruses that can be spread by mealybugs. New research suggests leafroll disease has become a far more serious problem in California than previously recognized. The disease was assumed to be largely graft-transmitted under California conditions. However, this situation seems to have changed. In the face of what may be a epidemic wave of leafroll spread, these lectures provide information about this important issue:

• The biology of mealybugs in California and their control; Kent Daane, Ph.D., UC Berkeley, and Monica Cooper, UC Cooperative Extension, Napa County
• The dangers of spreading mealybugs in pomice; Rhonda Smith, UC Cooperative Extension, Sonoma County
• Prevention of the disease and damage reduction in the vineyards; Deborah Golino, Ph.D., UC Cooperative Extension Plant Pathologist, UC Davis

See website for details and to register.

Fee: $190.00 Includes course materials and lunch.