{"id":287,"date":"2026-06-19T21:52:53","date_gmt":"2026-06-19T20:52:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.coltivobio.com\/en\/?p=287"},"modified":"2026-06-21T12:32:49","modified_gmt":"2026-06-21T11:32:49","slug":"esca-disease-of-grapevine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.coltivobio.com\/en\/esca-disease-of-grapevine\/","title":{"rendered":"Esca disease of grapevine: symptoms, prevention and management"},"content":{"rendered":"

Esca disease of grapevine is a very common disease found in vineyards. It can be said that there is virtually no vineyard where this disease is completely absent. In this technical guide, we will scientifically explain how to identify and prevent this disease.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Identification and damage caused by esca disease<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Present throughout the world, esca disease is the result of infection by several fungi. Therefore, it is more accurate to describe it as a disease complex rather than a single disease. This complex causes two distinct types of damage to grapevines. The first is tracheomycosis, meaning the blockage of vascular tissues, and the second is wood decay, resulting in the breakdown of infected tissues.<\/p>\n

The occasional presence of infected vines within a vineyard should be considered normal and generally does not require particular concern. However, if preventive measures are neglected and unsuitable agronomic practices are adopted, the disease can spread throughout the vineyard and cause significant vine mortality.<\/p>\n

The esca disease complex is caused by the fungi Phaeomoniella chlamydospora<\/em>, Phaeoacremonium aleophilum<\/em>, Eutypa lata<\/em>, and Botryosphaeria<\/em> spp., which have been identified by the scientific community as the principal pathogens responsible for vascular infections. The primary fungus associated with wood decay has been identified as Fomitiporia mediterranea<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The disease produces characteristic symptoms on leaves (see photo 1), causing discoloration of the leaf blade that begins between the main veins and progresses toward the center of the leaf without affecting the primary veins. This creates the characteristic symptom known as “tiger stripe symptoms.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Photo 1 – Grapevine leaf showing tiger stripe symptoms. Note how the primary veins remain unaffected.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Following these initial symptoms, the leaves begin to dry out completely, accompanied by partial or complete shoot dieback (see photo 2).<\/p>\n

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Photo 2 – Grapevine showing partial esca symptoms. Note the shoot dieback and the associated drying of grape clusters.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This occurs because the blockage of the vascular system by the fungi prevents the vine from transporting water and nutrients properly. The necrotic areas along the leaf margins are caused by toxic compounds produced by the fungi.<\/p>\n

The fungi develop both within the main trunk and the secondary arms of the vine. As a result, symptoms may affect the entire plant, eventually leading to death, or only part of the vine when a single arm is infected (Photo 3).<\/p>\n

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Photo 3 – Partial esca disease affecting only one arm of a grapevine.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Biological cycle<\/strong><\/h2>\n

These fungi enter the vine through various types of wounds, particularly pruning wounds and injuries caused by adverse weather events such as severe hailstorms. For this reason, when the disease is present in the vineyard, proper preventive practices are essential.<\/p>\n

Infected vines may remain symptomless for years, making eradication of the disease particularly difficult.<\/p>\n

Symptoms may appear on a vine for several consecutive years before eventually causing its death. In other cases, vines that have shown symptoms in previous years may suddenly collapse and die within a single season. This typically occurs during drought years and in mid-summer, when vines are no longer able to cope with the infection.<\/p>\n

It is also possible for vines that have shown symptoms for years to stop expressing them and resume normal production, appearing healthy. In such situations, however, these vines may still pose a threat to the vineyard because the pathogens remain present and capable of producing inoculum.<\/p>\n

Vines may also become infected in the nursery before planting.<\/p>\n

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See also: Grapevine Powdery Mildew (Erysiphe necator)<\/div>
Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that affects grapevines. In this technical guide, we will examine the symptoms, biological cycle, control methods, and organic treatments for grapevine powdery mildew. <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

Esca disease management<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Management of this disease is primarily preventive and consists of a series of agronomic practices summarized below:<\/p>\n