On the occurrence of Xiphinema index Thorne et Allen in grapevine areas of the Heraklion province, Crete, Greece

Abstract

The occurrence of the virus vector nematode Xiphinema index in grapevines of the province of Heraklion, Crete, based on soil samples examined during the last 15 years, is presented and compared with that of a survey conducted in 1988, when a replanting scheme for the control of grape aphis phylloxera had just started. The control measures that have been taken since then were found to be insufficient to eliminate or even reduce the distribution of the nematode, as its presence and severity and that of the Grapevine fanleaf virus it transmits has remained unchanged throughout this 23-year period.