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Dogs are capable of detecting leafhoppers and the leafroll virus in grapevines. This has been shown by a pilot project in California. Four detection dogs were trained to sniff out these vine diseases. The two dogs trained on the leafroll virus detected it in over 93 percent of cases and correctly excluded the presence of the virus in nearly 100 percent of cases. In comparison, commercial laboratories can also detect the leafroll virus in about 93 percent of cases, but can only exclude the presence of the virus in 91 percent of cases. The two specially trained dogs even recognized leafhoppers with an accuracy of over 97 percent and also almost correctly excluded infections nearly 100 percent of the time. Thus, the use of detection dogs has proven to be an effective method for preventing vine diseases according to the pilot study.
It is also cost-effective: Checking around 27,000 vines over 16 hectares with two dogs and one handler takes two days. The cost for this is approximately 5,000 euros, or 20 cents per vine. The study was funded by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation with over 400,000 euros.
Stephanie Bolton, head of research, education, and sustainable viticulture at the Lodi Winegrape Commission, explained that the method allows for a cost-effective and precise real-time early detection of viruses without destroying the vines. "We will not get a handle on these diseases if we continue to plant infected vines. The problem must be addressed before planting the vines." If there is no funding for further research, the dogs will be retrained for other purposes.
(al / Source: drinksbusiness)