Project start: 01.01.2014
Project end: 31.12.2016
Sponsor: Hessen State Ministry of Higher Education, Research and the Arts

As little is known about the effect of eCO2 on grapevine-pest interactions, we studied the effects of eCO2 on interactions between grapevine and two of its economically most significant pests – downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola) and European grapevine moth (Lobesia botrana). Experiments conducted investigate parameters of the biology of P. viticola (e.g. duration of incubation period, vitality of zoospores, germination of soilborne oospores) as well as the developmental biology of L. botrana (e.g. hatching rate, duration of development stages, pupal weight, longevity and survival rate, fertility of females). Microscopic studies of pest-relevant morphological characteristics of grapevines (e.g. thickness of berry skin, stomatal density and stomatal aperture) are supposed to provide explanations for possible changes in pest infestation levels under eCO2. Furthermore, expression levels of relevant defense genes in grapevines were investigated to record possible changes in defense reactions of the host plant towards the respective pest organism. The data obtained will contribute to a better understanding of mechanisms in plant-pest interactions under altered environmental conditions.