Foreword

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This handbook is the second of a series. Like its companion volume, Grafttransmissible diseases of citrus-Handbook on detection and diagnosis, compiled by C.N. Roistacher, it aims to illustrate current methods for detecting and identifying viruses and virus-like diseases of grapevines (Vitis vinifera L., American Vitis species and their hybrids). Emphasis is placed on biological detection methods, i.e. the use of woody indicators and herbaceous differential hosts, which are still the basis for diagnosis and can readily be applied in countries with minimum laboratory facilities.

However, as many grapevine pathogens can also be detected and identified by serology, electron microscopy, gel electrophoresis and molecular hybridization, these techniques are described in detail in Part III.

Detailed further information on virus and virus-like diseases of the grapevine is available in a number of books and review articles, such as:

In addition, readers are referred to bibliographic lists of papers on virus and virus-like diseases of grapevines to 1984 compiled under the auspices of the International Council for the Study of Viruses and Virus Diseases of the Grapevine (ICVG):


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