First flavescence dorée case confirmed in Lower Austria

Lower Austria has recorded its first confirmed case of the highly dangerous grapevine disease flavescence dorée, ORF reported. The disease was detected in a vineyard business in the Carnuntum wine-growing region in the district of Bruck an der Leitha and can kill grapevines.

The confirmation came on Tuesday evening through laboratory testing of leaf samples from symptomatic vines, the Lower Austrian Chamber of Agriculture told ORF on Wednesday.

Flavescence dorée, known scientifically as Grapevine flavescence dorée, is caused by phytoplasmas and is considered one of Europe’s most dangerous grapevine diseases. Infected vines can die and may spread the infection to other vines while they remain in the ground.

The disease is transmitted mainly by the American grapevine leafhopper. The insect acquires the pathogen while feeding on an infected vine and can then transfer it to healthy plants. The disease cannot spread directly from one vine to another.

The leafhopper has spread increasingly across Austria’s wine-growing regions in recent years. Flavescence dorée has already been detected in Styria and Burgenland, where entire vineyards have reportedly had to be uprooted. Cases have also been recorded in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Since June 3, a regulation has required measures against the leafhopper in particularly affected areas, including insecticide treatments and the removal of symptomatic vines. The regulation is in force until the end of 2028. Because the disease itself cannot be treated directly, infected vines must be removed quickly to reduce the leafhopper population and limit transmission to other plants.

Johannes Schmuckenschlager, president of the Lower Austrian Chamber of Agriculture, described the first confirmed case as a serious warning for the wine industry. He said the priority was to identify infected plants quickly and implement the required measures.

The chamber is urging not only wine growers but all owners of grapevines to inspect their plants, including vines in private gardens, public spaces and company grounds. Suspected cases must be reported throughout Lower Austria.

Symptoms include strongly discoloured leaves. On white grape varieties, the leaves turn yellowish, while on red varieties they become dark red. The leaves later curl downward, and the shoots fail to become fully woody. Infected vines may eventually die.

Suspected vines should be reported immediately to the Wine and Fruit Growing Department of the Lower Austrian Chamber of Agriculture at 05 0259 22200. Symptomatic vines should also be consistently uprooted.