Increased laboratory capacity to combat grapevine golden yellow disease

(Photo: Pixabay)

In Hungary, the observation of symptoms of grapevine golden yellow disease began in the 1970s. The national detection started in 1997 in 40 settlements in 12 counties with 31 varieties, and the first positive sample was identified by the authority in Zala County in 2013. Since then, the disease has been slowly but steadily spreading across the country, both west and east.

Control efforts are ongoing, but this year the spread of FD has increased significantly

The pathogen has appeared in six new counties, which is why it was necessary to increase the number of samples for laboratory tests at Nébih. In 2025, the office tested nearly 4,000 samples, three times the amount compared to the previous year. The measurements were carried out at three locations: nearly 80% of the samples were tested in the Nébih Budapest laboratory, 10% in the Venice laboratory, and another 10% in the Nébih laboratory car specially converted for this purpose.

The laboratory car operated during the most intensive, October phase of the detection: out of 294 samples received, 29 tested positive

Based on the rapid test results, official measures could be started immediately in Heves and Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén counties. Nationwide, 726 samples tested positive for FD. The proportion of infected samples is highest in the counties of Zala (95%), Veszprém (74%), Vas (61%) and Somogy (60%).

In order to increase laboratory capacity and shorten testing times, Nébih has also purchased a LAMP device

With the new device, pre-screening of symptomatic samples can be done on site, with a rapid (up to 2 hours) screening method. Laboratory confirmation testing is only required for samples previously found positive, which can further increase testing capacity. Protection against the disease is still possible only with preventive measures.

Nebih