Vector
Definition - What does Vector mean?
In the context of viticulture or agriculture, a vector is an organism, plant or object that is a carrier for disease but is not affected by the disease. It is important for viticulturists to understand vector-borne diseases, so they can protect wine grape vines and wine grape harvests from them and properly treat not only the disease but the carrier as well. Many wine growing regions have regulations in place to avoid the spread of wine grape vine disease.
WineFrog explains Vector
Understanding risk-vectors ensures that vineyards are implementing proper protocols so that grape vines are not exposed to disease or blight. Phylloxera is an example of a disease that can be carried on a vector and infect wine vines.
Phylloxera is the disease that nearly destroyed the French wine industry in the mid 1800’s after it was carried by phylloxera-resistant American wine grape root stock. The phylloxera did not harm the resistant American wine grape root stock, but was detrimental to the French vines. Since the time of the Great French Wine Blight, vineyards have implemented protocols to protect their vineyards from pests, diseases and weeds. These protocols include cleaning and disinfestation of vineyard equipment and inspection of imported vines or anything that can be a risk vector or carrying an unwanted organism into the vineyard.
