Flavescence Dorée and Grapevine Susceptibility: From Host-Pathogen Interaction to Cultivar Categorization

Flavescence dorée (FD) is a major grapevine disease in Europe with significant economic consequences. The objective of this review is to provide as much information as possible on the documented susceptibility or tolerance of different cultivars, both international and local within individual countries. Additionally, spontaneous recovery has been observed as a viable option for replanting injured vines, but its efficacy varies by cultivars. In this regard, a broad categorization was developed for several cultivars, particularly those examined in Europe, describing their higher or lower susceptibility and aptitude to recover. Future research, however, should not only address the geographic spread of FD, but also investigate how pathogen-host interactions may differ across cultivars. Such insights could be crucial for assessing the risk of FD introduction in new regions and understanding cultivar-specific susceptibility and epidemic dynamics, because present studies remain mostly concentrated in regions suffering significant FD pressure, resulting in a focus on a small number of cultivars that are often specific to a certain geographical area. Furthermore, the implementation of innovative strategies has the potential to give a comprehensive and long-term approach to managing and containing FD.