"I was not expecting it. Especially since I had taken all the measures recommended - mulching and efficient ditches - to protect the ten-year-old Hayward orchard."
Producers feel abandoned by the institutions and research seems to be too fragmented. "If somebody was organising everything, it would be possible to apply for public funding. Having single mayors looking for a solution for their own territory is not a viable option," explains producer and Coldiretti adviser Renzo Bonizzato.
Around 1,200 hectares have already been eradicated in the Verona province and some symptoms have also been noticed in Piedmont and Friuli Venezia Giulia. In Verona, the areas with the most problems are Pescantina, Bussolengo and the western part of the province.
As reported by researchers Gianni Tacconi from "Crea" and Lorenzo Tosi from Agrea, the test orchards are providing a few answers, but a year is not enough, as data must be collected for at least three years.
"We cannot give a definitive answer, but it seems that accentuating mulching, adding compost and managing irrigation very closely helps."
Managing irrigation closely means watering only when needed, without adding one unnecessary drop. Vine decline is in fact caused by root asphyxia and "heavy and moraine soils seems to be most affected."
In the meantime, the Ceradini Group from Verona is testing a new rootstock that seems to be behaving well.
