Grapevine Powdery Mildew: Epidemiology, Impact on Grape Production and Advances in Management Strategies

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera subsp. vinifera) is one of the most economically significant and widely cultivated plants in the world. Its economical and beneficial effects on human health make grapevine an important agricultural product worldwide. However, grapevine cultivation faces several critical challenges associated with growth, production, and disease management. On the other hand, climate change and disease resistance represent significant challenges for the development of healthy plant life globally. Moreover, the grapevine quality and quantity have been severely threatened by different pests, pathogens, viruses, and fungi. They can lead to decreasing quantity of grapes, delayed grape ripening, affected grape composition, and reduced grape quality. Grapevine powdery mildew, caused by the fungus Erysiphe necator, is one of the most consequentiality diseases affecting cultivated and wild grapevine in the world. To effectively combat this disease, grapevines are predominantly sprayed with fungicides, and this leads to environmental hazards, adverse health effects for humans, and increased resistance to fungicides. Taking all of these into account, understanding the life cycle of fungi, biocontrol agents, some early disease detection methods like scouting, and molecular techniques might help to mitigate the disease.