Field distribution ofSorosphaera viticolain commercial vineyards in Germany

In the year 2000, resting spores of a previously undescribed plasmodiophorid were found in roots of Vitis spp. This plasmodiophorid was identified as a member of the genus Sorosphaera Schroeter and described as Sorosphaera viticola Kirchmair, Neuhauser, Huber. To attain information on the field distribution of Sorosphaera viticola, a selective screening was conducted in two commercial vineyards in Germany. A study to determine a correlation of Sorosphaeraviticola infection to grapevine growth was also performed.