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Grapevine trunk diseases (GTD) are currently one of the most devastating and challenging diseases in viticulture, leading to considerable yield losses and a remarkable decline in grapevine quality. The identification of the causal agents is the cornerstone of an efficient approach to fighting against fungal diseases in a sustainable, non-chemical manner. This review attempts to describe and expose the symptoms of each pathology related to GTD, the modes of transmission, and the harmfulness of recently reported agents. Special attention was given to new diagnostic tests and technologies, grapevine defense mechanisms, molecular mechanisms of endophytes fungal colonization, and management strategies used to control these threats. The present extended review is, therefore, an updated state-of-the-art report on the progress in the management of vineyards.

A decline of various grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) in the province of Doukkala in Morocco was observed in 2021. The causal pathogen was identified as Lasiodiplodia viticola based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed region (ITS), the β-tubulin gene (TUB) and calmodulin (cmdA). Koch’s postulates were confirmed by successful re-isolation of L. viticola from plants inoculated with the pathogen under controlled conditions. The disease was shown to be prevalent in Bni Hilal (71.43%), Laamria (60%), and Boulaouane (40%) districts, but was quasi-absent in Lmechrek. To understand the dominance of L. viticola as one of the grapevine trunk pathogens, effects of temperature (10–40 °C) and pH (pH 3–pH 12) on growth and sporulation were investigated. The species were able to grow in a range of temperatures ranging from 15 to 40°C and showed a higher growth rate at 35 °C. The fungus were also characterized by a broad optimum pH ranging between 3–12. This study is the first report dealing with L. viticola associated with grapevine trunk diseases in Morocco. Additional studies are therefore required to understand the high occurrence of this disease in vineyards, which is likely due to climate changes. A good understanding of this complex disease might help to develop a reliable and sustainable preventive control strategy.

For decades, the grapevine has been produced as a commercial fruit crop in Morocco. From 2004 to 2022, the area dedicated to cultivating and producing grapes has increased across the country. Despite the implementation of adequate agricultural practices, grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs) lead to significant yield losses and a remarkable reduction in viticultural quality. Many grape growers encounter this issue in their vines each year and seek strategies to cope with it. In the most significant grape-growing regions globally, including Morocco, grapevine decline is a common and significant disease that is brought on by a multitude of latent fungal plant diseases. Due to the use of poorly informative markers in phylogenetic analyses and the lack of relevant morphological characteristics, the classification of these pathogens has proven to be challenging. Numerous genera and families have not yet been extensively studied, especially in Morocco. To identify the dieback-causing agents, surveys were carried out in 152 Moroccan vineyards in Marrakech-Safi, Casablanca-Settat, Rabat-Sale-Kenitra, and Fez- Meknes regions between 2019-2021. Samples of symptomatic trunks were collected and processed for mycological analysis. Afterward, fungal identification of representative isolates was performed combining morphological characterization and phylogenetic analysis based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA and protein-coding gene (β-TUB). Pathogenicity tests were fulfilled under greenhouse conditions for 15 days. Among the fungi collected in the current study, 54 fungal isolates were obtained belonging to different genera and families namely: Botryosphaeria (11 species), Fusarium (10 species), Pestialiotiopsis (4 species), Clonostachys (3 species), Entoleuca mammata, Phaeoacremonium hungaricum, Trichothecium roseum, Diaporthe ampelina, Epicoccum nigrum, Alternaria alternata, and Rosellinia convexa. Pathogenicity test revealed that Diplodia mutila , Neoscytalidium novaehollandiae , Neopestalotiopsis vitis, and Trichothecium roseum isolates are the most pathogenic. This is the first detailed report of species associated with GTDs in Morocco where new records of species worldwide are highlighted.

A decline of various grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) in the province of Doukkala in Morocco was observed in 2021. The causal pathogen was identified as Lasiodiplodia viticola based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed region (ITS), the β-tubulin gene (TUB) and calmodulin (cmdA). Koch’s postulates were confirmed by successful re-isolation of L. viticola from plants inoculated with the pathogen under controlled conditions. The disease was shown to be prevalent in Bni Hilal (71.43%), Laamria (60%), and Boulaouane (40%) districts, but was quasi-absent in Lmechrek. To understand the dominance of L. viticola as one of the grapevine trunk pathogens, effects of temperature (10–40 °C) and pH (pH 3–pH 12) on growth and sporulation were investigated. The species were able to grow in a range of temperatures ranging from 15 to 40°C and showed a higher growth rate at 35 °C. The fungus were also characterized by a broad optimum pH ranging between 3–12. This study is the first report dealing with L. viticola associated with grapevine trunk diseases in Morocco. Additional studies are therefore required to understand the high occurrence of this disease in vineyards, which is likely due to climate changes. A good understanding of this complex disease might help to develop a reliable and sustainable preventive control strategy.