Grapevine protection in France

Viticulture is an emblematic and high value crop in France, producing worldwide reputed wines. Even though grapevine production covers less than 3 % of usable farmland, it accounts for over € 6 billion of exported wine. French viticulture is characterized by a wide regional diversity of climates, soil, typicity, cultivars and traditions. Many grapevine diseases and pests are present in France. Grapevine protection against these agressors involves the participation of a panel of institutional and professional stakeholders, whose missions range from regulation and research to advice and field application. A crucial phytosanitary problem of viticulture is posed by fungal diseases, and among these downy and powdery mildews, which are controlled by a massive use of fungicides. Breeding is underway, in order to obtain future resistant varieties. Trunk diseases represent another worrying problem, whose etiology is still poorly understood and against which control measures are lacking, since the ban of sodium arsenite. Grapevine can also be affected by numerous diseases caused by viruses (fanleaf, leafroll, etc.) and by phytoplasmas ('Flavescence dorée', 'Bois noir'). Control measures rely on sanitary selection and use of insecticides directed against vectors. A certification scheme is operated in France that aims at providing growers with planting material free of the most important pathogens. Genetically modified rootstocks have been tested against fanleaf disease; however, this approach raises societal issues and controversy. Harmful mites and insects are usually controlled by the use of acaricides and insecticides. Biotechnical methods are increasingly implemented, such as mating disruption and biocontrol, and efforts are made to better understand the ecology of these agressors and to integrate the various possibilities to reduce their impact to grapevine. Future prospects are discussed, within the context of an evolving situation (climate, regulation at the European scale, etc.) and of the increasing importance devoted to the reduction of pesticide use in a high value crop such as grapevine. Thanks are due to several colleagues (INRA, IFV, CIVA) who provided helpful pieces of information