Red Blotch Disease: Detection, Vector and Spread

As red blotch continues to encroach upon more and more Oregon vineyards, knowledge of the latest research and trends has never been more critical. Scientists from UC Davis, ARS and Oregon State University will share their latest research on detection, vectors and the spread of grapevine red blotch associated virus. From ARS, Mysore Sudarshana will share his research on detection, from UC Davis, Frank Zalom will share his research on the vectors and spread of red blotch in California. Vaughn Walton and Rick Hilton will share their latest research on the vectors and spread in Oregon. Attendees will also hear from a Southern Oregon grower about his personal trials and tribulations at controlling the virus.

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Speaker Bios

Dr. Mysore Sudarhshana

Dr. Mysore Sudarshana received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in microbiology from the University of Agricultural Sciences, India, and Ph.D. in Plant Science from the University of Idaho. Since 2008, he has worked as a research biologist with the Crops Pathology and Genetics Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Davis, and has been working on the biology, detection and management of viruses infecting grapevines, stone fruit trees and walnut. Very recently, he led efforts to identify a vector insect species that has potential to spread the red blotch virus in the vineyards.

Dr. Frank Zalom

Dr. Frank Zalom is distinguished professor of entomology at the University of California Davis. He served as director of the University of California’s Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program (UCIPM) from 1986-2002, co-chair of the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities’ National IPM Committee from 1999-2015 and grants manager for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Regional IPM Competitive Grants Program from 2005-2014.

Dr. Vaughn Walton

Vaughn Walton is an Associate Professor of Horticulture Entomologist at Oregon State University working on economically important pests, with the aim to provide environmentally sustainable and minimal impact pest management strategies for agriculturalists in Oregon and further afield. Multiple techniques are used in a whole-system approach to obtain sustainable means of production.

Rick Hilton

Rick Hilton is a senior faculty research assistant and entomologist at the Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center (SOREC) focusing on integrated pest management in orchards and vineyards. Richard has a BA in biology from Pomona College and a MS from UC Davis in plant protection and pest management. He started working at what was then the Southern Oregon Experiment Station in 1987 as a research assistant and orchard manager. In 1994, he took over the entomology and IPM research program at SOREC.

In June of 2008, Rynders launched his own successful wine consulting business, Tony Rynders Consulting. Rynders consults on winery design, vineyard design and development, wine quality improvement, brand development, and product development. In 2010 he created Tour de Force Wine Company, which provides custom winemaking services.

Daniel Sweeney

Daniel Sweeney is the assistant vineyard manager for Quail Run Vineyards and has more than 15 years’ experience working in vineyards, wineries and nurseries around the United States.  He moved to Oregon from the Finger Lakes region of New York and has been working to understand and manage red blotch in Oregon vineyards since 2013.

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