Seasonal and long-term consequences of esca grapevine disease on stem xylem integrity

Abstract Hydraulic failure has been extensively studied during drought-induced plant dieback, but its role in plant-pathogen interactions is under debate. During esca, a grapevine (Vitis vinifera) disease, symptomatic leaves are prone to irreversible hydraulic dysfunctions little known about the integrity of perennial organs over short- and long-term. We investigated effects esca on stem naturally infected plants within single season across season(s). coupled direct (ks) indirect (kth) conductivity measurements, tylose vascular pathogen detection with vivo X-ray microtomography visualizations. Xylem occlusions (tyloses) subsequent loss occurred all shoots severe symptoms (apoplexy) more than 60% moderate (tiger-stripe), no tyloses asymptomatic shoots. In observations demonstrated that only when leaf appeared, resulted 50% conductance 40% stems, unrelated symptom age. The impact xylem was seasonal, long-term disease history. Our study how what extent such as affecting integrity, could amplify mortality through failure.