California’s

Pierce’s Disease

Control Program

Bob Wynn

Statewide Coordinator

- November 2014 -

Background

1999: “Say goodbye to California wines.”

GWSS in California

June 2002

Containment

Nursery Bulk Citrus Bulk Grape

• Prevent GWSS from moving to new areas

Containment

Program Totals• Nursery shipments 818,200• Nursery rejections 597• Citrus shipments 732,525• Citrus rejections 252

Nursery ATP Program• 8 nurseries (28 yards)• Approx. 20% of nursery shipments are

from ATP nurseries

Statewide Survey• Verify that at-risk areas are still uninfested• Look for new/unknown infestations of GWSS• Currently being conducted in 49 counties

(6 generally infested, 36 uninfested, 7 partially infested)

• Approximately 38,000 traps deployed in nursery and urban/residential areas during peak season

Rapid Response

Recent Highlights• GWSS infestations eradicated in San Luis Obispo

and Santa Clara County• GWSS trapped in Alameda, Fresno, Imperial, Santa

Clara, and Tulare County

Biological ControlProgram Totals• 7 species released• 15 counties covered• 172 release sites• 2.48 million agents released

Recent Activity• Arvin production facility

(2 greenhouses, 5,000 sq ft)• 3 species being released• Releases in Fresno, Kern,

Madera, Santa Barbara, Tulare, and Ventura County

Area-wide ProjectsCoordinated vector control over large agricultural areas

Area-wide Projects20

0120

0220

0320

0420

0520

0620

0720

0820

0920

1020

1120

1220

13

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

140,000

160,000

180,000

Kern County

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

140,000

160,000

180,000

Tulare County

Area-wide Projects- Funds requested for FY 2015 -

• Kern County $1,000,000

• Tulare County $580,000

• Fresno County $323,971

• Madera County $143,736

$2,047,707

Past & Present

Then Now

Research• Over 200 projects

conducted since 1999

• Symposium held 12 years; 915 reports in 13 years of Proceedings

• Next Symposium will be held Dec. 15-17, 2014 in Sacramento

• Field trials in progress (conventionally-bred & transgenic methods)

Commercializing Promising Technologies

Objectives• PD protection to growers as soon as possible• Insurance against future, devastating outbreaks• Protect California grape industry• Protect National grape industry

Technology Facilitator

• Began in July 2013• Providing advice and guidance on the

development and commercialization of promising discoveries and technologies

• Serves on research-related committees

14 Years Technology & Product Pipeline

Conventional Breeding

Ongoing Breeding Program

Protection from Transgenic Strategies

Ongoing Science

First to Market

ContinuedCultivar

Introduction

Back-up Insurance;Doomsday Scenario

Source for Future Strategies

Walker Breeding Program:Current Cultivars, Ongoing Pipeline

Cultivars advanced to FPS March, 2013:• 15 cultivars: seven 94%, eight 97% vinifera• Three rootstocks• All PdR1: from b43-17 cross with V. arizonica• Last vinifera parent: Cabernet, Zin, Chardonnay, Petite Sirah,

Lacryma Christi, Cab x Carignane• Earliest release to nurseries: 2015; additonal 3+ years to growers

Current field trials:• CA: Davis, Napa: mostly 88%, 94%, some 97%• TX: 3 sites; 88%, 94% vinifera• AL: 1 site• FL: potential 1 site

Ongoing pipeline:• Additional resistance genes: Southeast US, Mexico: V. shuttlworthii,

BD5-117• Multi-gene resistance, complex crosses• Advanced materials for continued breeding• Adding powdery mildew resistance, salt/drought resistance

Cultivars expected to be advanced to FPS May, 2014:• ~10 cultivars: 97% vinifera• 97%: Cabernet Sauvignon, Zin, Chardonnay, Sylvaner: early, mid-early,

mid, late • Earliest release to nurseries: 2016; additional 3+ years to growers

Transgenic Strategies

Gum ‘em up:Kirkpatrick: Hemagglutinin

Lindow: DSF

Search and destroy:Dandekar: chimeric bind & lyse

Grape life support:Gilchrist: PR1 and UT456

Passport denied:Powell, et. al.: PGIP

Viticulture Consultant

• Began in February 2014• Providing advice and guidance on the

viticultural practices followed in the field trials• Advises on other research-related activities• Serves on research-related committees

Field Trials

Untransformed Thompson Seedless

Transformed Thompson Seedless

Field Trials

Other Designated Pests & Diseases

• Beginning in 2010, assessment funds may be spent for research and outreach on other pests and diseases of winegrapes

• Pest or disease must be formally designated

• To formally designate, specified findings must be made

• Currently designated:• European grapevine moth• Brown marmorated stink bug• Red blotch• Vine mealybug

AB 1642

• Introduced February 2014 by Assembly member Chesbro et al.

• Signed by Governor in August 2014

• Continues the Pierce’s Disease Control Program, PD/GWSS Board, winegrape assessment, and PD Advisory Task Force for another five years

• Continuation of Board and assessment is contingent upon favorable grower vote, to be held this Spring

Thank you!---

Questions?