Vitis vinifera grapevines are susceptible to downy and powdery mildews (Plasmopara viticola and Erysiphe necator, respectively). During the growing season, 4–10 chemical treatments are given to control these diseases; an alternative solution is the use of resistant varieties. American and Asian grape species have natural resistance to powdery mildew (PM) and downy mildew (DM). Breeding programs for PM and DM resistance have been conducted worldwide for decades. Recently, resistant hybrid cultivars have been brought to Israel from Europe and USA breeding programs . Our research aim was to test these hybrid cultivars’ suitability to Israel’s local weather conditions. Grapevines from the different programs were planted in four different climate regions in the north of Israel for observation. Results – under natural weather conditions 16 hybrids grapevines varieties found to be less sensitive to PM and DM than the V. vinifera variety. Only one of them, cv. Cabernet Carbon, seemed to be as sensitive to DM and PM as the V. vinifera plants. Laboratory infection with DM was only applied to 4 hybrid varieties. Sporulation of hybrid lines was significantly less than on V. vinifera leaves, including the cv. Cabernet Carbon. In the future, we will monitor fruit sensitivity, and fruit and wine quality.
