Doctoral thesis
OA Policy
English

Integrating Spore Monitoring and Molecular Aerobiology to Investigate Grapevine Pathogens Dynamics and Airborne Fungal Ecology in Vineyards

ContributorsLeoni, Sara
Number of pages315
Imprimatur date2026-04-24
Defense date2026-04-24
Abstract

This thesis investigates the role of airborne fungal spores in grapevine disease dynamics, with the aim of improving disease forecasting and supporting more sustainable viticulture. Focusing on downy mildew, powdery mildew and grey mould, it combines conventional spore trapping, multiplex qPCR, real-time holographic detection and statistical modelling. The work validates complementary approaches for monitoring airborne pathogen inoculum in vineyards and demonstrates the potential of real-time spore data to refine fungicide application strategies. It further improves the prediction of primary downy mildew infections by modelling oospore maturation from more than twenty years of climatic observations. Beyond targeted pathogens, the thesis explores fungal diversity in vineyard air, rainwater and the lower stratosphere. Overall, it shows that integrating biological monitoring with weather-based models can enhance disease risk assessment and contribute to more precise, climate-adapted plant protection strategies.

Keywords
  • Grapevine diseases
  • Airborne fungal spores
  • Molecular aerobiology
  • Spore monitoring
  • Plasmopara viticola
  • Erysiphe necator
  • Botrytis cinerea
  • Downy mildew
  • Powdery mildew
  • Multiplex qPCR
  • Holographic detection
  • Disease forecasting
  • Oospore maturation
  • Fungal diversity
  • Atmospheric fungal communities
  • Decision-support systems
  • Sustainable viticulture
Citation (ISO format)
LEONI, Sara. Integrating Spore Monitoring and Molecular Aerobiology to Investigate Grapevine Pathogens Dynamics and Airborne Fungal Ecology in Vineyards. Thèse, 2026. doi: 10.13097/archive-ouverte/unige:193385
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Creation07/05/2026 16:55:13
First validation11/05/2026 11:21:12
Update11/05/2026 11:21:12
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