CropsMethods of protection
In areas contaminated by Flavescence dorée , the fight against this disease is regulated and compulsory . French law specifies the methods of fighting and the penalties for infringements (decree of July 9, 2003). The mandatory control perimeters are defined each year by prefectural decree.
On plants
- Identify and tear off affected feet;
- Burn pruning wood that could harbor leafhopper eggs;
- Carefully pull up abandoned vines which can constitute infectious pits for neighboring vineyards;
- Ensure the quality of the mother plants used to make the grafted plants. Heat therapy treatment (50 ° C, 45 min) of woods and plants, which eliminates phytoplasmas, is strongly encouraged.
On vector
- 3 insecticide treatments must be carried out on dates set by the Regional Plant Protection Services between the end of spring and the beginning of summer in the infected areas defined by prefectural decree. Treatments 1 and 2 aim to destroy infectious larvae. Treatment 3 is intended against any surviving adults or immigrants on the plot.
A large number of insecticides are available to control leafhoppers, mainly of the pyretrenoids and organophosphates ( e-phy ) * family. In organic farming, Pyrevert is currently used against the Flavescence leafhopper. In some wine appellations, the number of compulsory treatments is reduced as well as the treated surfaces. These measures are associated with coordinated campaigns for prospecting vineyards, monitoring insect populations and raising awareness among winegrowers.