Field Diagnosis
Definition - What does Field Diagnosis mean?
A field diagnosis for a vineyard is a testing procedure performed to investigate existing problems in the vineyard.
Some vineyard diseases have similar symptoms and other diseases may not show any obvious symptoms until later on in its development. Such diagnosis can be performed to determine the root of any disease or the prevention of diseases and their spreading throughout the vineyard.
WineFrog explains Field Diagnosis
Tests performed for a field diagnosis can only happen when the vineyard is in production and not in the winter when the vines are dormant. This allows for scientists to take samples of vines to identify viruses and other infections.
Leafroll virus, for example, can only be tested in the late summer or fall, as this is the time when symptoms may show by the reddening of foliage in red grape varieties. However, the reddening of leaves can also indicate nutritional deficiency, fungal root disease or the presence of harmful mites, rodents or insects.
Special disease testing can help diagnose the actual problem and then the best course of actions can be taken to ward of the virus, disease and/or pest found to be the culprit of sick vines.
