The Economic Benefits from Virus Screening: A Case Study of Grapevine Leafroll in the North Coast of California

• Kate Binzen Fuller ^[1] ; Julian M. Alston ^[2] ; Deborah A. Golino ^[3]
  1. [1] Montana State University

     Montana State University

     Estados Unidos

     
  2. [2] University of California. Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (Davis, CA)
  3. [3] University of California.Foundation Plant Services (Davis, CA)

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• Localización: American Journal of Enology and Viticulture, ISSN 0002-9254, Vol. 66, Nº 2, 2015, págs. 112-119
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Viruses and related pathogens have no cure and impose high costs on nurseries and crop producers. Viral diseases typically spread through infected planting stock and plant-propagation material. However, virus spread can be minimized if virus-screened stock is used. This paper presents the costs and benefits of a virus-screening program for Grapevine leafroll-associated virus-3 (GLRaV-3) in the North Coast region of California. Grower costs and benefits from using GLRaV-3–free vines were computed and extrapolated to the North Coast industry as a whole. Economic benefits from the GLRaV-3 testing and cleaning program were found to be in excess of $50 million per year for the region and to substantially outweigh its costs. The results showed potential benefits from removing and replacing diseased vines rather than leaving them in the vineyard where they can be foci for disease spread. In addition, significant costs are associated with disease entering from virus-infected vines in neighboring properties.