The grapevine Vitis shuttleworthii accession D’Arpa reveals resistance against Xiphinema index in an inoculation screening assay

Abstract The Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV) transmitted by the vector nematode Xiphinema index causes severe losses in viticulture. Truly resistant rootstocks that inhibit nematode development and virus transmission to grapevines are not available. Seedlings with genetic background of the accession Vitis shuttleworthii D’Arpa were evaluated using an established screening system to test for nematode resistance. For all tested candidate grapevines it turned out that reproduction and fertility of X. index was strongly reduced compared to the susceptible control rootstock Selektion Oppenheim (SO4) and similar to the partly resistant reference rootstock Nemadex Alain Bouquet. GFLV infection was identified on controls and references after inoculation with viruliferous nematodes, but virus was not detected in any of the candidate genotypes with D’Arpa background. Results indicate that D’Arpa contains resistance traits, which may be interesting for breeding nematode resistant rootstocks.