DOGS PROVE THEIR NOSE FOR VINE DISEASES

Four sniffer dogs have been trained to detect vine diseases as part of a new pilot project in California. The result proves that dogs are capable of detecting phylloxera and leafroll in grapevines.

As reported, Malbec, a black Labrador, and Sauvi B, an English Springer Spaniel, were trained to sniff out mealybugs, while Cab, a German Shorthair, and Zinny, also an English Springer Spaniel, were trained to detect leaf roll virus.

In 93.4 percent of cases, the latter two were able to detect the leafroll disease 3 virus. In addition, the dogs could rule out the virus in almost 100 percent of cases. Their canine colleagues Malbec and Sauvi B detected the presence of mealybugs with an accuracy of 97.3 percent and also ruled out infestation in almost 100 percent of cases. In comparison, commercial laboratories can detect  leafroll disease 3 in 93.4 percent of cases and rule out the presence of the virus in 91.4 percent of cases, the study says.

Sustainable early detection

The goal of the project is "non-destructive, real-time, early virus detection that is affordable and accurate," said Stephanie Bolton, director of viticulture research and education and director of sustainable viticulture at the . Training dogs would therefore be an effective method for detecting and preventing vine diseases.

Dogs' robust sense of smell can detect phylloxera and leafroll virus 3 in commercial vineyards at a level that contributes to integrated pest management and is both economical and scalable. This holds great potential for the sustainability of our industry.
Stephanie Bolton

The pilot project was financed by a grant of $428,111 from the . Bolton and her colleagues are now presenting their findings to industry groups in the hopes of establishing how and whether the sniffer dog program could be further funded.

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