Utilizzo di acqua acida elettrolizzata in vivaio nei confronti di patogeni del legno della vite

ACTIVITY OF ELECTROLYZED ACID WATER TOWARDS TRUNK DISEASE PATHOGENS IN GRAPEVINE NURSERY Phaeomoniella chlamydospora (Pch) and Phaeoacremonium minimum (Pmi) are the main grapevine trunk disease pathogens that cause infections in the nursery and are often associated to decline occurrence in young vineyards. The infection may occur during the grafting process, particularly during hydration. This study assessed the activity of electrolyzed acid water (EAW) to reduce the risk of infections during the hydration of cuttings before grafting. EAW is a sanitizing agent characterized by low values of pH (2.5), high oxidation-reduction potential (ORP>1000) and a certain amount of free chlorine. Trials were performed on three rootstocks 1103P, K5BB and SO4 (Trebbiano romagnolo as scion), under controlled conditions and in the nursery where plants were artificially inoculated with Pch. The most important results showed a significant reduction of the infection severity on cuttings inoculated with Pch and hydrated in EAW assessed in the nursery at the end of the vegetative growing season.