Nematol. medit. (2003),31: 87 87

FIRST RECORD OF RIVESI ASSOCIATED WITH GRAPE VINES IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

S.B. Sharmal, S. McKirdyl, A. Mackie and F. LambertF

1Western Australia Department 0/ Agriculture, Baron Hay Court, South Pert, WA 6151 Australia 2 Istituto per la Protezione delle Piante, Sezione di Bari, c.N.R., Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy

In January 2001, leaves of a number of grapevines cv. very little work undertaken to identify the species of ne­ Cabernet Sauvignon were found to exhibit symptoms of matodes present in Western Australia vineyards with strong chlorosis with shortening of internodes. The most records only to genus level. There is a need to sur­ vines were growing in the Albany area of the Great vey these vineyards to identify the potentially damaging Southern Region of Western Australia. The symptoms species and to characterise the relationship were initially thought to be due to infection of an between nematode density and vine damage. unidentified nepovirus; however, generic and specific nepovirus PCR and ELISA tests were negative. Soil samples collected from this vineyard revealed that a ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS population of a dagger nematode species (Xiphinema sp.) was predominant. Based on detailed morphometric S. Collins and D. Harman for their technical assis­ measurements the dagger nematode species was identi­ tance in collecting soil samples and extracting nema­ fied as Xiphinerna rivesi Dalmasso. Juveniles of a root­ todes. knot nematode species (Meloidogyne sp.) were present in low numbers. is known to be a vector of the LITERATURE CITED nepovirus cherry rasp leaf, tobacco rings pot and tomato ringspot (Taylor and Brown, 1997). Originally described Dalmasso A., 1969. Etude anatomique et taxonomique des from France (Dalmasso, 1969), it is now reported from genres Xiphinema, et (Nemato­ Europe (Bulgaria, France, Germany, Portugal), North, da, Dorylaimida). Memoires du Museum National d'His­ Central and South America, and Asia (Pakistan) (Lam­ to ire Naturelle, Paris, Serie A (Zoologie), 61: 33-82. berti et al., 2000). It is the most widespread species of Lamberti F., Molinari S., Moens M. and Brown DJ.F., 2000. the X. americanum group in North America (Robbins, The Xzphinema americanum group. 1. Putative species, 1993). This is the first report of this species for Aus­ their geographical occurrence and distribution, and re­ tralia, however there are many records of Xiphinema sp. gional polytomous identification keys for the group. Russ­ from vineyards across the country. Western Australia is ian Journal o/Nematology, 8: 65-84. an important region of Australia for production of wine Robbins RT., 1993. Distribution of grapes, table grapes, and dried vine fruit. Viticulture is and related species in North America. Journal 0/ Nematol­ now predominant horticultural industry in Western ogy, 25: 344-348. Australia contributing 10-12% of Australia's premium­ Taylor C.E. and Brown D.J.F., 1997. Nematode Vectors 0/ ultra premium bottled wine and it is predicted to in­ Plant Viruses. CAB International, Wallingford, United crease fourfold in the next seven years. There has been Kingdom. 286 pp.

Accepted for publication on 12 February 2003.