From detection to prevention: VITIBEL’s role in mitigating grapevine virus and phytoplasma risks in the emerging wine industry in Belgium
From detection to prevention: VITIBEL's role in mitigating grapevine virus and phytoplasma risks in the emerging wine industry in Belgium
Lavena Van Cranenbroeck, Ph.D. student, Integrated and Urban Phytopathology Laboratory, Liège University, BelgiumSaphire A
As viticulture has been rapidly expanding in Belgium over the past two decades, her work is crucial in understanding and protecting this emerging industry. The VITIBEL team’s travels extensively throughout Belgium, collecting samples, raising awareness among producers and investigating the presence of potentially damaging grapevine viruses and phytoplasma. This research aims to contribute to the development of reliable diagnostic tests and the dissemination of vital information to all stakeholders in the Belgian wine sector. The VITIBEL team's work is at the forefront of efforts to anticipate potential problems and risks of emerging diseases in Belgian viticulture.