Does leafroll infection in the field impact grape quality?

The results of a long-term project led by Kai Blaisdell were recently published (see list of publications). The goal of the study was to determine the impact of vector-mediated Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 infections in commercially planted vines. Take-home messages are i) mealybugs are efficient in transmitting the virus under field conditions, ii) disease symptoms appear throughout the plant one year after infection, iii) berry quality is affected one year after infection. Here is a key figure.