MONDAY, MAY 5, 2025. BY PIERCE’S DISEASE/GLASSY-WINGED SHARPSHOOTER BOARD.
Vineyard Health Boosted with $2.2 Million Research Investment
To build up the California winegrape industry’s protections against pests and diseases, the Pierce’s Disease and Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter (PD/GWSS; really PD/GWSS+ since they have expanded their pest and disease repertoire) Board is investing $2.2 million in new research funding. The funds will support 11 research projects over the next three years.
The Board also continued funding seven previously approved multi-year projects for $726,394 for fiscal year 2025-26. Thirteen additional projects are continuing, with no-cost extensions.
“We carefully and strategically invest grower funds with top-notch researchers focused on pest and disease challenges facing California winegrape growers,” said Randy Heinzen, Board chair. “While not every issue affects every region, our Board includes growers from across the state, so we consider a broad range of threats—from PD to red blotch and grapevine leafroll-associated viruses to spotted lanternfly.”
The Board’s research funding focuses on preventing the spread of pests and diseases and delivering practical, sustainable solutions. Projects address disease management strategies, genetic and biotechnological solutions, vector and disease transmission, virus detection and management and industry preparedness. PD/GWSS Board funding helped the Lodi Winegrape Commission create the red virus book pictured above, What Every Winegrower Should Know: Viruses, and conduct other valuable outreach concerning mealybugs and viruses with the Lodi Grapevine Virus Focus Group.
View the full list of new research projects below.
The Board invites researchers to submit proposals yearly. This year, 29 proposals were evaluated by independent scientific review panels, the Board’s research coordinator and the Research Screening Committee (which included Lodi Grower Aaron Lange and the Lodi Winegrape Commission’s Dr. Stephanie Bolton) before being discussed by the full Board. The Board’s funding recommendations were approved by Secretary of Agriculture Karen Ross today.
Funded by the industry, for the industry, the research program is supported by the PD/GWSS assessment and directed by the grower-led Board. Crush District 11 Lodi growers contribute approximately $440,000 to $630,000 to PD/GWSS annually, depending on the tons crushed and the crop value. Since 2001, the Board has funded 311 research grants, investing $44.1 million in PD and GWSS research and $15.9 million in research on other pests and diseases.
Learn more about the Board’s research program HERE. The PD/GWSS Referendum was mailed in April and ballots are now due by June 12, 2025 (the deadline was extended).
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