Research & Outreach at Work for You
The Pierce's Disease and Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter Board has invested in research and outreach to protect vineyards, prevent the spread of pests and diseases, and deliver practical and sustainable solutions. The consistent, reliable funding made possible by the winegrape grower assessment means that California’s wine industry supports leading scientists dedicated to finding solutions to Pierce’s disease (PD) and other serious pests and diseases of winegrapes.
Click for the 2023 PD/GWSS Board Research Projects at a Glance
Pierce's disease costs more than $100 million per year, even with public control programs in place. If the PDCP ended, and GWSS spread throughout California, the annual cost to the winegrape industry would increase by more than $185 million. Read more about The Costs and Benefits of Pierce's Disease Research in the California Wine Industry.
Extensive research efforts since the program started have delivered many potential solutions to PD that are already undergoing field trials. Promising results from these field trials may lead to commercial applications that could ease the statewide threat of PD. Click for an overview of current research projects.
PD/GWSS Research Highlights
- Filling knowledge gaps in Pierce’s disease (PD) and glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS)
- Studying how PD spreads in vineyards
- Investigating genetic resistance to PD
- Developing and testing PD-resistant winegrapes
- Evaluating wine quality from PD-resistant grapes
- Using biological controls to protect vineyards
- Managing GWSS resistance to insecticides
Other Pest & Disease Research Highlights
- Helping to eradicate the European grapevine moth
- Identifying insect vectors of grapevine viruses
- Studying how grapevine viruses spread
- Understanding virus impacts on vine health and grape quality
- Developing management strategies for brown marmorated stink bugs and mealybugs
- Exploring resistant grape cultivars and rootstocks for vine mealybug
Meeting Research and Outreach Priorities
Each year a Request for Proposals is issued to solicit research and outreach proposals from experts in the field. Once the proposals have been received, they go through an extensive, multi-level review process where they are evaluated by outside experts, panels of scientists, and committees comprised of scientists, research program administrators, and industry representatives. Read more about the Request for Proposals and how to apply.
Information on Specific Research Projects
- List of research projects funded in the current cycle
- 2023 PD/GWSS Board Research Projects at a Glance
- Videos: 2023 PD/GWSS Board Research Projects
- Video: “Introduction to the PD/GWSS Board Research Portfolio” with Research Coordinator Dr. Kristin Lowe
- Research progress reports
- Newsletter articles
- Videos