Methods of protection against

of the Esca

As with eutypia, there are no curative methods to eradicate the fungi in the wood. The implementation of prophylactic methods remains the best way to limit esca .

In the nursery, before planting

• Establish mother vines from controlled and sanitized plants (thermotherapy, fungicide treatment).
• Do not use the basal (likely to be already contaminated) or apical (badly hardened) part of the branches used for the conception of the grafts.
• Limit the duration of exploitation of the mother vines.
• Respect the grafting procedures, checks the quality of the welds, methodical and severe sorting of weakened plants.
• Do not store plants in the cold for too long.
• Do not over-fertilize.
• Identify in the vineyard the plots favorable to the expression of wood diseases and then favor the planting of tolerant varieties.

At the time of planting

• Do not leave the roots immersed in water for too long while waiting for planting.
• Avoid late planting (during hot weather).
• Water the young plants well.
• Avoid naturally rich soils which generate vigor.

After planting

• Choose a driving mode and a density / ha which will allow the formation of arms of sufficient length.
• Well form the trunks of young vines, avoid imbalances of sap calls.
• Don't want to go into production too early.
• Generalize late pruning for sensitive grape varieties (except in regions affected by bacterial necrosis).
• Prune in dry weather and avoid too short wounds (facilitated by the use of the electric pruning shears) and prefer sizes with a wheelbase (chicot) which will delay the formation of drying cones.
• Prefer pruning methods respecting the same sap routes from one year to the next (example the Guyot-Poussard system).
• Protect pruning wounds and follow prophylaxis according to the instructions recommended for eutypiosis .
• Do not over-fertilize.
• Pull up and destroy dead stumps, in no case leave them on the edges of vineyards.