Classical Breeding Leading To Grapevines Resistant To Pierce's Disease

Feb 05, 2016

By Jeannette E. Warnert

Pierce's disease of grapes has been a persistent problem in some areas of California and, right now, it's on the upswing, reported Ester Mobley in the San Francisco Chronicle.

A UC Agriculture and Natural Resources researcher has been working for 15 years to develop Pierce's disease-resistant grapevines and he's read to unleash them into the world.

"Spraying to control for PD won't pass environmental muster," said Andy Walker, UC ANR viticulture geneticist and professor in the Department of Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis. "And GMOs are problematic. For us, the best way forward is through classical breeding."

The project is based on the identification several years ago of a single dominant gene in a Mexican grape species - Vitis arizonica - that promises to confer resistance to Pierce's disease. After making a series of cross breeds resulting in a vines that are 94 percent Vitis vinifera, Walker has developed vines that are similar to any Zinfandel or Sauvignon Blanc grapes, but will never get PD.

Source: ucanr.edu

Video: Agriculture Secretary Rollins Speaks at American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim

One of the highlights at the 2026 American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim, California, was an address by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. During her remarks, she thanked America’s farmers and ranchers and said the Trump Administration is fully aware that food security is national security.

She also acknowledged the challenging times in Farm Country with low commodity prices and high input costs and said that’s why the President stepped in to help with the recent Bridge Assistance Program.

Montana Farm Bureau Federation Executive Vice President Scott Kulbeck says that Farm Bureau members are appreciative of the help and looks forward to working with the American Farm Bureau Federation and its presence in Washington, DC to keep farmers and ranchers in business.

Secretary Rollins said the Trump Administration is also committed to helping ranchers build back America’s cattle herd while also providing more high-quality U.S. beef at the meat case for consumers.

And she also announced more assistance for specialty crop producers who only received a fraction of the $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA).

It’s important to note that producers who qualify for Farmer Bridge Assistance can expect the Farm Service Agency to start issuing payments in late February. For more information, farmers and ranchers are encouraged to contact their local USDA Service Center.